The Cardboard Sign Reads, “I Need Beer Money”

I love to cause a debate on FB or Twitter when it comes to – What would you do? It amazes me that we are so different and we all have our own ways of doing things especially when it comes to giving – when, who, why and if there’s a tax write-off.

I’ll never forget one of my friends from Cammack, Indiana. His name was Pete. I don’t remember his last name, but everyone knew him as Pete and he owned Pete’s – a tiny, one room, country grocery store that sold penny candy and handmade bologna sandwiches. And it was a half mile from our home. When my sons were little, I would take them several times a week to Pete’s to buy them penny candy and maybe a pop. We were “regulars”.  But as a single mom, there were times when I wondered how I was going to piece everything together. One time,  I was waiting for an advancement check from one of my books. I kept waiting, waiting, and waiting. It wouldn’t show up and our refrigerator was getting slim and I wondered what I’d do.

Finally, I laid down my pride and I made a visit to Pete’s and asked him if I could pick up a few things and pay him when my advancement money arrived. It about killed me to ask him for help because I was the one who could make it on my own. Pride. These were his words. Honey, where have you and the boys been? I have penny candy to be sold. You see this store here? I’ve worked almost 40 years, almost every day. Look around at all this stuff.  You take whatever you want or need and pay me when that money comes in. And bring those boys down here to get their candy. 

Pete was one of my angels that God sent my way. He didn’t question my intentions or hesitate to give. He just gave. And at the same time, God changed my heart. He knew I was a “I can do it myself girl” and that attitude needed to change. The next day, my book money arrived.

Today, our world has changed. People are struggling. People are losing their homes. They’re refrigerators are getting slim. They’re trying to piece things together and sometimes have to ask when they don’t want to.

Ted and I give to many ministries, missionaries, churches, and non expecting, hardworking people who try to keep things going. We never ask what they will do with the money, but pray that it will be a blessing to their lives. I do believe we must use wisdom in our giving, but at the end of the day, Jesus calls us to give. 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Ted cringes when we are out and about and I ask him for a ten or twenty dollar bill. He knows what I’m about to do. And he gives it to me anyway. And then he smiles, too.

PS. I didn’t give to the guy with the beer money sign.