It was sunny and 'warm' today in Provo. I say 'warm' because 50 degrees is NOT considered 'warm' where I am from! Warm in San Jose, California is about 65 or above! However, one November night, when the weather was the exact opposite of the weather today, a tiny thing happened that will probably affect me for the rest of my life.
It was Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, and I was with my boyfriend Brad's family visiting other members of their family in Salt Lake. We were having a great time! We had just taken a wonderful (but cold) nighttime tour of Temple Square, including the Lights on Temple Square, which I had never seen before. They were spectacular! What a treat to see them! I was amazed at how there seemed to be lights on every branch of the trees. The time and dedication it must have taken to put up the lights, on each of the trees! I had a great time walking around with them in my brand new boots that Brad had given to me for an early birthday present. The lights were beautiful, I was with friends I loved, and I was happy. There were Christmas decorations all around, and I for one was beginning to feel the joy of Christmastime. Though being at Temple Square was a great experience, it is what happened immediately after that impacted me so greatly.
The members of Brad's extended family had left in order to go see a play, and it was just Brad's immediate family and me left. We were waiting to get on the light rail that would take us back to our car, because we were going to go see a movie and it was way too cold to walk all the way back. As we were waiting in the cold, a young man of about 25 years or so walked up to our group. I didn't really think much of it until I heard him say to Brad's parents that he didn't have enough money to buy a ticket for the tram. I immediately felt awkward and looked down at the ground. I've always felt very uncomfortable around people who are asking for money. Homeless people, people on the sides of the road with sad signs, and people who just need money. I mean, what do you do? You feel awkward saying no...but you- at least I- also feel uncomfortable saying yes. I've always had the mindset that a lot of those people will just take your money and buy drugs, and that they really don't NEED the money. I've always been reserved about giving away my money, especially to people like that. Therefore, I looked at the ground and wished I could disappear for a few minutes.
And so I learned a deep lesson when I looked up to see Brad's dad open his wallet, and give the man the money he needed.
Brad's family, like most of us, isn't made up of money. I'm sure they could have used the cash for something they needed. But the fact that his father gave so freely to the man in need really made me question myself. I have such a profound respect for anyone who can give like that. We are told to be charitable, and impart of our substance to our fellow men. But I had never really taken it seriously, I guess. So when I stood there and watched this example of Christlike charity before my very eyes, I realized that I needed to change. I realized how much I have, compared to some people. And I realized that there are people out there who need things so much more than I do. Why then, did I have such a problem giving a couple of dollars to someone in need? I stood there in my brand new boots, and cute jacket, holding my new camera, and I realized just how much I had, and that I had selfishly reacted towards people in need my entire life. And I realized that it doesnt matter how the person got themselves in the situation. And it also doesn't matter what they do with the money. What DOES matter is what is in our hearts. It matters that WE are willing to help them. We are supposed to love our fellow men. We are supposed to help them. We are supposed to do so with a willing heart. We never know what their story is. But we don't have to. All we have to do is love them, and to be truly willing, in our hearts, to help. I realized I had never truly had that attitude. So at that moment, I decided to change. Months later, I can see the impact of this small moment on who I am. I am filled with more love for people. I see others and instead of criticizing them for something or judging them, I remember that everyone is a child of our Heavenly Father. I now love to help others, because I love them more. I try to imagine how Christ sees them, and act accordingly.
Why did Brad's dad give to that man? It wasn't for the praise of the world, I'm pretty sure that no one really saw it, and that no one who was there even remembered it fifteen minutes later. It wasn't because he felt he HAD to. If that was the case, I doubt he would have even given at all. I believe it was because he had charity in his heart and truly cared about that man, though I'm pretty much sure that he didn't even know him at all. I'm pretty sure that no one who was there even remembers the event. I don't think Brad's dad himself even remembers doing it. But I remember, and the impression that it left on me will not soon leave me. On a cold November night in downtown Salt Lake, this simple Christ-like example changed my life. I will forever be thankful for that tiny, seemingly insignificant experience that night. Although it has probably long since left the minds of others who were there, I know I will never forget that November night.
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