As I was leaving the post office on Tuesday, a tall slim man gave me a cross look as I pulled up at the stop sign and encroached on the sidewalk he was headed down. He had tan almost leathery skin– the look of someone that works hard out in the sun every day. He was carrying an empty 2 gallon gas tank (the red ones that all of the gas stations sell).

After he quickly passed by the front of my car from the passengers side to the driver side, he suddenly stopped and looked at me. He started to say something, but I could barely hear it. It seemed as though whatever he was saying came out reluctantly. It took me a couple seconds, but I was able to understand what he was saying… “Hi, umm, I really need to get over by Stanford quickly. Err… can you spare a few dollars? I only need a few to get to Stanford. I really need to get there quickly.”

I hesitated for a moment as it occurred to that I’m driving a car and I can get him to Stanford in just a few minutes. I thought to myself “but he’s not asking for a ride, he’s asking for money.” Maybe he did really just need to the few dollars. Maybe his car was just around the corner at the gas station. Regardless, the thought hit me that I was really reluctant to give him a ride.

It wasn’t so much that I would mind having a stranger in my car– although when it comes down to it, I’m sure I would think twice about that as well. I think my real reluctance came from my personal agenda for the afternoon. I was heading to the pool to swim then somewhere else that I can’t even remember now, then back home to work some more. I think I really didn’t want to change my schedule to help him regardless of whether or not he needed a ride.

I handed him a few dollars and pulled out of the parking lot. As I was driving away, I had a strong sense that what he probably needed more than a few dollars was a quick ride and some companionship– some help and someone share his anxious experience with.

What needs to change for me to be a better helper and companion to those in need?