Last Saturday, I was doing my weekly grocery shopping at Giant (Not Wegman's, Sorry Linda Soller!). I usually handle the grocery shopping because my wife cannot, and at that time, Chris was sick at home with a bad cold. Suddenly, an older teenage girl and a young boy, who looked about twelve, approached me. I could not identify their nationality, but they wore dirty clothing and appeared nervous. The girl said, "Excuse me," and showed me a note asking for money to buy groceries, diapers, and baby formula, which were on top of their list. To say I was surprised would be an understatement; I had never been approached like this inside Giant before. I asked, "What can I do for you?" The girl asked if I could buy groceries for them. I didn't want to send them away empty-handed, so I handed them a $20 bill and said, "That should help you." They thanked me and left.

As I resumed my shopping, I felt a bit unsettled. These kids had broken the unspoken rule in the DC area: "You don't speak to strangers while grocery shopping." I began to question whether I had done the right thing. When I got to the checkout line with all of my groceries, I noticed the same girl and boy ahead of me, who were being attended to by an older woman buying them groceries, including diapers and formula. I didn't say anything; I just watched them leave with their groceries and hoped and prayed that God would keep them safe.

Was I scammed? I don't know, but I had to make a quick assessment of the situation. I didn't want to judge them, but if I'm honest, I did have some judgment — I didn't know their story, whether their needs were real, or why they were in the situation they were in. What struck me most was how nervous they seemed. Given everything happening in this country, I couldn't blame them for being anxious. Ultimately, I remember the phrase, "I cannot do everything, but I can do something. I cannot help everyone, but I can help someone," and this was one instance where I could help. I've seen on the news how certain people are treating immigrants in our nation, so I refuse to add to that with these two children. I didn't know their situation, but I resolved to help them. I also recall the words of Jesus: "For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat." I was determined not to disobey Him in this matter. Besides, they probably needed that $20 more than I did.

I remembered my college pastor preaching that men and women are "made in God's image" and that one human soul is worth more than the whole world. He cited the verse, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" I then recall the quote from the film Schindler's List: "He who saves one life saves the entire world," which is rooted in the Jewish Talmud. It emphasizes the infinite value of a single human life and conveys the idea that saving one person is as significant as preserving all of humanity.

Ultimately, I don't know if those kids scammed me, and I don't care. I know that my job is to be obedient to Jesus, who tells us to value every human life. That is what propelled me to give,

Today, Jesus commands us to help others, and I couldn't refuse help. We should still exercise discernment; I don't give to all panhandlers I encounter, but I try to help when I can. Some may hustle us, but prayerful consideration is essential. Still, we can't ignore Jesus' words: helping someone in need is helping Him, rejecting them is rejecting Him. Remember that!

Take care and remember Linda Soller's words: "Be kind!"

Bill R.