A Woman At Our Church Was Crying And Said She Didn't Have Anything For Thanksgiving For Her Children

A woman I know fairly well last night at church was crying and said she didn't have Thanksgiving Dinner for her children. We were talking about the high cost of insurance and how bad it is getting and suddenly she broke down and told me she is so poor she can't afford Thanksgiving Dinner.

I talked to my girls and we decided this year we would give her a food basket.

The problem is my husband thinks I am a sucker for anything. I on the other hand just want to help her and her 4 kids. He believes anyone doesn't have to go without. I understand in some way where he is coming from. We have had hard times but have always made it. He has always been a good provider and when needed worked 3 jobs to make it. Once when his company went on strike, everyone was complaining about no gifts for Christmas. I didn't need to worry, he had found a job at the time for 3.65. It help pay bills and with careful management we were able to make it. Our children had a modest Christmas and we made it for over a year on those wages until he got back to work at his company. He worked their for over 30 years in the end. So yes, I understand where he is coming from. But I think of the children and how they feel. It isn't going to kill me spliting 5 ways and I feel I doing right. We usually don't disagree over matters such as this and I wonder why now?

Annette

You need to do what your heart leads you to do. You have been called to help this lady and I think you should if you are able to do so.

If she is truly that bad off there are charities that she could go to that will help her out.

Bless you, your heart is in the right place, but do you know this woman and what her financial position is?

Annette, I commend you for wanting to help her and for steping out in faith and doing so.

If this woman works during school hours but then would have to pay daycare costs for after school, during a second job, then it would probably not be beneficial to have a second job.

I guess you could think of it this way ... if, when you were really scrimping and saving, someone stepped up and asked if you needed help with food or whatever, how would you have felt?

I think you should go ahead and help. It will be easier to live with yourself as a nice person who was (maybe) taken advantage of, than as a person who could have helped someone in need, but didn't.

What Miss Ellie said. Provide Thanksgiving Dinner? Why not? Ask your DH to think back to when somebody did him (or both of you or the family) an unexpected kindness. Pay it Forward.

I would do just what you are doing, Annette. You will be blessed for your generosity.

I don't think it matters whether or not you're being a sucker. I think what matters is the motivation of your heart. Giving will not only be a blessing to her, but it will be a blessing to you. Go ahead and do what your heart is telling you to do.

Annette, I'll admit that many times I am skeptical and my first thought would be to worry that someone was trying to scam.

However, You started this out by saying that you know this woman fairly well. Also, you were on the subject of this in conversation with her when it came up - She didn't bring it up out of nowhere.

From all of that, I tend to believe that she does have a legitimate need. If you and your daughters want to help her, that's a very nice thing.

I also agree with what Miss Ellie said.

Yesterday we had a Thanksgiving service at church for our Bishop, who was talking about giving. He said that the more you give the more you get, and he's right. It doesn't have to be money either. All you have to do is give as much as you can and you will receive much more.

I think what you're doing is wonderful.

In past years, DH and I have provided Thanksgiving dinners for various needy families. I've spent between $20 and $40 dollars per family to accomplish such. If you're dividing the cost 5 ways, then you won't be out much.

You'll not only be in service to this family but in service to Jesus Christ.

Jo, if you'd ever been in that kind of straightened circumstance, you'd understand how hard it is to ask for help. It's embarrassing and humiliating. It's like having to get up in public and announce that you're a failure.

Nellie Belle, go with your heart and get the groceries for her.

Maybe you could bring up privately to your pastor after Thanksgiving that she needs help and doesn't feel that she can ask, and maybe there will be something that your church can do to help her and her children.

Sometimes what it takes to get help is for somebody else to offer to help.

And bless you.

Oops, I meant JoBlank, not JoMom!

I think a food basket is a nice jesture to make for this family. Lets face it, there are many people here in the USA in bad situations, etc. I feel too, there are things and blessings in my life, that should be paid forward. I would do the same things as you, Annette and gather up a food basket for the young women and her family.

Bless your heart, Annette!! I just wish you would get some rest. LOL

Hugs,

Mary

It is very hard to confess something like this to anyone, and I certainly KNOW how she feels, been there and done that!! Our church makes several baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas for needy folks, and it is not people in the church necessarily, tho there are some that do get them, but others that don't even attend church...Nellie, this is very kind of you and your family to give freely from the heart, you will be blessed more ways than one. When my husband was in the service, we always tried to have some of the boys over to eat that were not able to go home for the holidays.
God bless you and your family!
D.