The virtue in giving even when you have nothing

The other day I woke up with my wife hurrying me to dress up so we could go early for groceries. With the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, it has been our new normal to avoid crowds whenever we go out. We plan to do our grocery errands in the very early hours of the morning or mid-noon where people avoid going out due to intense summer heat in the desert country we live in.

I got up and washed my face. Then I put on my regular “palengke” shirt, walking shorts, and slippers, a cap, and new pair of facemasks to go with it. All set. We got in the car, sprayed alcohol on our hands, and say a quick prayer. Talk about, starting the day right with positive vibes.

We are all called to care for others

It was around 11 AM when we reached the store parking in Deira. I noticed this one guy so eagerly directing us where to park, further guiding me not to hit the side ramp. I already knew he is one of those “punas boys” as we term it in Tagalog. He offered to clean my car with a towel in his shoulders. But since I just had a carwash I declined. He even told us that there is no parking fee that day being a weekend. With his willingness to help you can really sense something good about this guy. As I and my wife went inside the grocery, I noticed the guy went off to a little shade he could find and wait there for another car to come.

Even in this situation, we are still blessed to buy food to put on the table

Inside the grocery, we were very picky about the items we buy. We buy more of what’s on discount and less on the regular priced ones. Going out we felt good that we got what we needed and did not go over our budget. While walking towards our car, I was anxious to know how the guy was, I saw him near a parked van, helping out with deliveries I believe. I knew this guy is really in need to make ends meet. I want to give him vegetables or maybe bananas we bought from the grocery. (Haha, I realized how I looked funny telling this to my wife! Yes really!) But then I thought maybe it will be better to let him decide with little cash. I looked into my wallet and saw no cash, just cards and receipts. My wife gladly obliged with a 10dhs bill she saw in her wallet. Without a second thought, I called the guy and gave him the 10dhs bill, then there was a smile that you would have not expected from him the whole day. He was thankful and I bid him goodbye and God bless you brother.

Sharing even when we have none

The highlight of my story is about how a mere 10dhs could still make a difference. There’s a 50% pay cut in my current job. So I try to cut on unnecessary expenses and I don’t keep much cash on my wallet anymore. But seeing this guy, even though I have less or none actually, I still feel blessed that I just need to share a 10-dirham bill to make his day. Probably being able to help one person to have at least one meal, at times like this, is all it takes to make you feel fulfilled and understand a deeper purpose in this life.

Flashback when I was living in the Philippines

I remember back in the days in the Philippines, I would stock up bags of biscuits and cookies in the glove box of my dad’s car. Whenever I stopped on a red signal, I would gladly and carefully handout these snacks to children begging on the streets. That’s just my own way of sharing my blessings of what little I could afford that time. That feeling of sharing and seeing a little smile on those kids’ faces makes all the worries and frustrations from the metro traffic go away.

Maybe a 10dhs challenge would be a good idea

Hey, tomorrow’s my birthday, here’s to sharing blessings to people who need it. Maybe we can have a pay it forward 10dhs challenge, see how big of a difference sharing 10dhs to people in need around you. Share your unexplainable feelings of happiness coming from God’s blessings.

Cheers y’all and stay safe always!