Here's My Sign

Everyday as I drive through the streets of Boise, I see panhandlers standing on street corners, in parking lots, and even at some gas stations. They hold signs that can often tug at my heart strings, and stand there looking miserable while I am tucked warm and safe from the weather in my SUV. So many days, when I can spare the dollar, I will open the window and pass it through to the dirty hand that reaches out and grasps it, often with a "God bless you," following. And on those days that I am saving my last $1 to hit up the dollar menu at McDonald's, it is often difficult to sit at the stoplight and wait anxiously for the light to turn while the person on the street corner stares over at me while holding his sign. So what is wrong with this picture?

I can understand why an individual may have reached that point in their life where they feel the only thing they can do to survive is ask for money, and when you see some of the signs that are being held up, they explain this need even more. The majority of society believes (and I cannot deny that I am in this group), that we are being scammed or taken advantage of by most panhandlers. This is because panhandling has become a profession and they can make an upwards of $10 an hour. However, if I drop only a quarter in their cup I am still feeling guilty for not giving more of what I have, but when in all actuality I am giving something and they should just be grateful. When searching "panhandling" on google.com we are provided with numerous websites just teaching the individuals how to panhandle the right way to make the most money. The reality is that we cannot always tell by looking at a person or their sign whether they will take the money we are giving them and feed the children they claim to have or go buy drugs or alcohol. We instead have faith that what we are doing is what our God wants us to do.. "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you". Or maybe it is the constant thought of Karma. All I know is that I am in the wrong profession if I could be making $10 and hour just standing on the corner holding a sign and not having to do laundry... I should start taking notes on where the most profitable corners would be.

So the question remains... do I give my money to the panhandlers? In all actuality I will continue to, out of belief that what I do today can always come back on me tomorrow. Maybe the man or woman on the street corner needs that dollar worse than I need the dollar menu at McDonald's. And if by chance I ever have to hold a sign asking for money, I would hope that people driving by would choose to think twice for me as well. The money we give panhandlers may be instant gratification by supplying food, drugs, and alcohol, but I cannot be the judge of an individual holding a sign asking for help. However, the Chinese proverb that should probably speak to me the most is: "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime". Damn I wish I had more time to fish!

-I will keep you posted -destiny