I’m halfway through the 30 Day Giving Challenge, and I’ll say that it is getting a little bit tougher now. I’ve got my angel tree recipients gifts bagged up and ready to turn in tomorrow. After that, I need to find a shoebox for my Operation Christmas Child donation. Isn’t it funny that out of all the piles of junk we have accumulated around this house, an empty adult sized shoebox is not in any of them? After that… I don’t really have a plan of action. I’ll just take things as they come.
We saw a homeless man sitting at the end of our interstate exit yesterday. It was not something that we see often in our neck of the woods, so I felt like I should do something for him. But we were sitting at a red light across four lanes of traffic and had Garrett in the car, so it didn’t happen. Still, I felt guilty for not giving him something.
My father is notorious for helping homeless people and strangers on the side of the road. Once when I was about nine years old he came home from work barefooted. My mom was pretty perplexed to see her husband walking in from work in his dress clothes and bare feet. Turns out, he had seen an old man sitting on the interstate bridge rubbing his feet, so he stopped to help him. When Dad asked the man about his plans he said that he was walking to Texas (from Alabama!!) but his shoes were wearing thin in the soles and causing blisters. My dad gave him the shoes right off his feet.
There have been countless other times that I’ve been in the car on family trips and people have approached my father at a gas station to ask for money. They all have a sob story to tell, and who knows if they are true or not. But it doesn’t matter to my dad. He will always open his wallet and give them the biggest bill in it plus a few extras if he thinks they need it.
Recently he drove a single mom, her son and her mother from the Orlando airport to Port Canaveral so they would not miss their cruise departure time. He overheard the mom telling her son that they might not make it to the boat on time because they missed the shuttle van and could not afford the cab fare for the 45 mile trip. My dad was getting a rental car for his business trip, so he offered to drive them to Port Canaveral. And they accepted. Why in the world a single mother, a grandmother and a little boy would accept a ride from a total stranger, I don’t know. Maybe my dad reminded them of John Candy and his Polka playing U-Haul from Home Alone. I can’t explain it, but they accepted his offer, and he drove them all the way to the front door of the cruise ship terminal just in time for them to get on the boat. The lady told my Dad that she had been saving for years to take her son on this three day cruise to the Bahamas. She was so distraught over the thought of missing the boat, but he had saved their entire trip.
Why people feel drawn to ask for money from my dad or accept help from him, I don’t know. I cannot explain it, it just happens. A LOT.
I don’t know anyone else who gets approached by strangers as often or as much as he does. It sure doesn’t happen to me that often. Maybe because he travels so much he gets more exposure or something. I love that about my father. I hope that out of all the genes Garrett inherited from his Granddaddy, that is at the top of the list.
Once in downtown Birmingham my dad walked with a man to an ATM machine to get money for him to buy a tire to help a family get back home to somewhere far away. I can’t remember all the details. I do remember that he said that he never told the man his name and the man consciously stood far away while he was getting the money from the ATM. After my dad handed him $200 in cash, the man shook my Dad’s hand and said “Thank you so much, Mr. Cain. God Bless you.” When my dad looked up from putting his card back in his wallet, the man was gone. How he knew my dad’s name and where he teleported off to, we’ll never know.
As cheesy as this is going to sound, I do believe that there are angels among us. I feel like such a poser writing this, but here goes anyway… Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
I’m hoping that everyone out there participating in this 30 Day Giving Challenge gets to interact with an angel this month. Whether you are on the giving or receiving end of a blessing, try to remember how great it makes you feel inside either way.
God bless everyone,
One Pork Chop says
I am so moved by this post. Like :sob moved.
Your father is incredible. I seriously wish 1/3 of the population was more like him. I can’t even begin to imagine how this world would be with more caring and giving people like him. You should send him this link and let him know how much his giving and generosity over the years has shaped you into the wonderful woman you are today. You, my friend, are an angel on earth – more than you know.
I will never forget what you’ve done for me, and I am constantly paying it forward as a tribute to you.
I love you.
Beth @ UnskinnyBoppy says
🙂 You’re going to make me cry now, Nat! :bighug
Kim @ NewlyWoodwards says
Wow. This is a beautiful post and truly a wonderful snapshot of a wonderful man.
Leslie says
Wow. I’d bet that the Lord puts your dad and needy people near one another because He knows that your dad will be His hands and feet for those folks. That’s awesome! Whether you’re the giver or the one in need, those moments are a blessing!
Anonymous says
Your dad is AWESOME! We brag about him all the time!! Keep up the good work!
-Barbie
Marie says
Wow! Your dad sounds truly awesome. I find it so hard to just give like he does. I always think I need to know that the reciever will do something wise with my giving but heck I don’t guess I am all that wise with all the blessings I’ve been given. You’ve really made me think and wish I could meet your dad.