“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Revelations 22:12
Just getting off of work I decided to stop by CVS to get some feminine products and use my coupon before it expires. For ya’ll who know me, you know I’m a bargain shopper, and I dare not let a coupon go to waste. And a 40 percent off coupon at that, like what?! So anyway as I was coming out of the store I saw a young man sitting on the curb by the entryway. The kindness in his tone truly did not match his outward appearance- that’s why they always say never judge a book by its cover.
The young man said, “Excuse me ma’am can I ask you a question- when you get finished.” I replied and told him I was finished and was about to go to my car. He said, “ma’am I’m just out here trying to stay out of trouble and do something positive. Do you mind if I wash your windows and shine your rims for a couple of dollars?” I told him I didn’t have any cash on me right now but I was very proud of him for wanting to do something positive. He looked up with a gentle smile and said, “thank you ma’am you have a nice day.”
As I walked away my heart began to throb. Here this young man probably around 16 or 17 years of age with red and black dreads, a basketball jersey with red tshirt on, and pants that were sagging as I came back (but as I came past him in the car he showed respect and pulled them all the way up) could have robbed me. He could have taken my pocketbook, he could have held me at gunpoint. He could have assaulted me. He could have done all the horrible things that society would label him as based upon his fit, the color of his skin, and his hairstyle. But yet this young man had more manners than the ones who “come from good homes” and “know better.”
I remembered I had a $5 bill in my stash and I signaled for him to come over and gave it to him. I handed him the $5 bill and told him to stay positive. He replied thank you and walked off. I didn’t want him to have to work for the $5 because I felt like he deserved it just by showing manners and trying to stay out of trouble- that was enough for me.
We often see the stories on social media and the news about the young black boys out here stealing, killing, robbing, raping, and everything else in between but it is RARE we read headlines about our young black boys doing something positive or trying to make good decisions that won’t have them end up in jail or dead.
I speak long life over this young man, good health over this young man, wealth, prosperity, peace, joy, happiness, and God’s abundance and blessings over his life. I want him to succeed and I want him to be a positive influence on younger black boys around him.
Transparent moment: I was sick a few months ago and stayed home from church though I watched the service online. That day I made a commitment to send money to a student in Africa to help with their education and other needs. The amount was small and doable but little did I know I was going to be in a financial crisis the next few months after that where I am counting pennies like I’ve never had to before BUT I look at it if I cut back on this or cancel that, then maybe our family can be a blessing to this young lady in Africa. I was tight with the little I have because this has been and is hard (I work 3 jobs currently and I’m still struggling) but I thank God I still have a roof over my head, the lights are still on, my kids are not going to bed hungry, I have strength to go to not only one job BUT THREE (GLORY HALLELUJAH). Seeing this young man showed me that even out of my nothingness I need to keep my word and help this young lady. Heck I’m still going to be in a rut (FOR NOW BECAUSE THIS IS ONLY A SEASON AND THIS TOO SHALL PASS- I speak abundance over my finances, I claim debt free, stress free, and financial freedom plus increase above my wildest dreams) so why not be a blessing to someone else.
Moral of the story: Do not be so quick to dismiss someone coming up to you to ask for help. You never know how God can and will use you to be a blessing to other people.
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