What If?

As we go about our everyday lives with our routines in place, what would we do if we came across someone who needed help? We’re very fortunate to live in an area that truly doesn’t want for anything. Some struggle to make bills, but we’re able to provide for our family. 

I recently got an email from a friend, who is part of an Outreach Program in Paterson. She wrote of a young girl “Jane” (not her real name) whom she met. She was walking the streets crying and told them she was homeless. She was in a bad way physically and her husband had just been sent to jail for a long time. She hadn’t eaten for three days and was very scared. She is in her 30’s and is struggling with multiple physical, mental and emotional issues. She has children, somewhere. She was planning on taking her life that night.

What if this was my daughter? What if this was your daughter? A person who lost their way on the path of life. Would you help her? 

My friend was able to get her help through a Christian Rehabilitation Center and got her up on her feet to start her journey again. What if she didn’t arrive in time, what would have happened to this woman? What if this woman was someone we all knew and loved?

The question of what if came into our lives a number of years ago. When the kids were younger, I’d hear of the things they "had to have—but, everyone has one!”  After driving just 20 minutes from our front door on a cold winter day, they realized exactly what “had to have” meant. They witnessed people living on the street so cold and without shelter. That day changed everyone lives.

What if you can make a difference in someone's life, would you? There are so many ways to help. In our area there are two large outreach organizations that are always excepting volunteers or donations. I personally have experience with both—The Relief Bus (www.reliefbus.org) and Bridges Outreach, Inc. (http://bridgesoutreach.net).   

What if during your fall cleaning, instead of throwing away the gently used clothes and toys you put them in a box and donate them to The Relief Bus to distribute?  What if your donation allowed a family to wrap a gift and put it under the tree for their child? What if this was the year that Santa didn’t forget their children?

What if you get a group together and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Bridges Outreach to distribute to the homeless that live under the bridges of New York City? What if you donate the coat that you haven't worn in a number of years to help someone stay warm this winter?

Two small words have changed my life. I guess we all need to have our own personal epiphany and realize what truly is important. When I leave this life, instead of just leaving my carbon imprint, I want to be known as the lady who dared to ask the question…what if?