Although it was brief, Rach and I took the day off, dropped the kids at a professional sitter, and headed off to the Lords house in SLC. It was a ton of fun. There is nothing like feeling like kids again, when you can go downtown to a bustling city with your sweetheart, be running late, and have fun doing it. Parking-- nuff said. Bleh.
Anyway while we made it just in time (about 5 min before JD & his newly wed bride Jen walked in) and it was a great sealing.
Ok, so hear is my rant, soapbox, or whatever you want to call it -- While we were going into, and out of the temple, there were two... for the lack of a better term, "panhandlers" asking for "spare change?" or, in a quivering almost to the brink of tears voice "please, anything you can spare... PLEASE..."
I caught myself brushing them both off, in my normal manner when I remembered where I was going. Yeeeah, like a ton of bricks people. Then the thought came, WWJD? Also remember, the only cash I had on me was a $10 and a $20. As I turned around, Rachel had already stopped and was opening her purse (of course).
Heres the thing... I knew it was a total scam, to play a manipulative trick on faithful saints as they are going to serve in the Lords house. I mean, what better place to better you chance of getting some free loot! RIGHT?!
So here's my question: What would YOU have done?
I felt bad brushing them off, but after we (Rach) gave BOTH of them a little change, I felt so much better. Not because I knew that they would use the spare change to pay for anything useful, but almost like a "washing of my (Rachel's) hands" of the situation... erring on the right side instead of the left. Of course, it's probably going to still count against me in heaven since I was kind of reluctant in helping them out. Plus not to mention that I have just publicized the "good deed" so now there is certainly no reward! Arrgh! I can't win for losing!
HOWEVER: On the way out of the underground parking garage, we had forgotten to get our parking validated, and thus needed a token or $10 to get out. We were already so far from the temple, and really needed to get back to our kids. As I tried to swipe the ticket to see what the damage was, a kind older woman in the car behind us rolled down her window and asked: "Do you need a token?" -- wow.
I think the savior saw this one coming.
"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Matt.5:44
Our oldest child and your best buddy in the whole world!
Our sweet baby Pearly Girl, doesn't she make us so happy?!
Our gruesome twosome that make us laugh all day everyday!
Paul is very loved by any and all young men he serves.
Holy cow this is old, our first Christmas together!
