Poverty in our city

As I walked out of the Mall pushing my shopping and racing to pick up the children, I noticed a woman (in her twenties)sobbing with a small child on her hip. She was talking with a man who looked like he had stopped to ask her what her problem was. The thought crossed my mind that I should help her. I have often seen people in need & I am sorry to saw; I pause....& think too much before helping. Mr D is the complete opposite. I remember when we were dating, we were all dressed up nicely to go out to eat in Sydney and as we walked toward the restruant a motorcyclist came off his turning bike in the middle of the intersection. The road was busy, but Mr D didn't pause. He ran out straight onto the road and assisted the rider. As the biker stood he toward over Mr D & the bike was huge. The biker & Mr D stuggled to lift the heavy bike, but they worked together & the cyclist was on his way. I paused. I didn't help. Would the biker want my help? Would I be in the road? All my doubts stopped me helping. I turned back to help the woman, & she was gone. Once again I thought, I had waited too long. I should have just helped. After packing the groceries away in my car I looked up & saw this woman approaching another person. She seemed very hesitent to approach anyone. I decided to stop thinking & just act. I went to her & asked if I could help. She explained that her partner had left them on the weekend & had cleared out their bank account. She had only found out when she had gone with her daughter to buy groceries & there wasn't a cent left in their account. I asked if she had gone to the local welfare groups as I could take her there if she needed. She said that they had but help would be a day or so away. Her little daughter looked to be about 3 years old. She looked well looked after & saddened by her mothers problems. As we spoke she told her mom that she was hungry. I felt that all I could do was to hand her some money. She seemed surprised that I handed her $20 insted of small change. But, I remember being in similar situations when my first marriage ended. No I didn't beg; but I was overwhelmed & we were left with no money, most of our furniture gone & no food. I wished I could have done more. I pray that this family is taken care of. Amen.