The Eyes of those In Need

I heard a true story today that needs sharing.

A young mother was traveling with her children towards their rural home when the junk heap she was driving broke down in front of a neighbours house. The neighbour fellow came out to see if he could help and found the young mother almost in tears with worry about her predicament. Her husband was away working and they’re financial situation just had no room for this breakdown.

After listening a while, the neighbour fellow asked her if she and the kids would come into town with him, he had a chore they could help him with. Being at loose ends anyway the Mother agreed. She was surprised to find they were pulling into a car dealership. When asked her opinion about a sturdy good condition van he said he had been considering buying she agreed it was a good family vehicle while privately wondering what this single middle aged man could want with the van. Even after the papers were signed and the keys were put in her hands she refused to believe what was happening and tried to give the keys back. She told him that while she would love to accept, her husband had a man’s pride and would be angry with her if she did. She also asked why? He told her that they had been there for him through several life tragedies, and it didn’t feel right to be able to afford it and not indulge himself in the giving, making it clear he felt she would be doing him a favor to accept the gift.

In the days before the husband returned home the wife wasn’t able to reach him therefore as he came up the street toward home and saw the family beater broken down on the side of the road near his neighbours house, he stopped to ask what had happened. When it was confirmed that the vehicle was quite beyond repair the husband was beside himself and shared with the neighbour his pain and frustration at the setback. He was concerned about leaving his wife and kids without transporation so far from town when he was away working. During this venting session the neighbour took a moment to phone the wife and ask her to come over with kids and new van.

It took little time for the joy that had been lit in the eyes of his wife, kids and neighbour to convince the husband that he could but accept. The joy of my friend Jennifer who visited the wife to hear the story, and my joy at hearing and being able to pass it on will turn that $3000.00 into that which can not be bought.

Is it that a style of warfare where you don’t look in the eyes of those you kill compares to a style of charity that doesn’t look in the eyes of those in need?