Don't Talk to Strangers...?

My heart is heavy tonight with an odd quandary. Growing up, we were all taught that we're not supposed to talk to to strangers. But why? What could have happened to me? ::I know children are abducted more times that we want to think about and bad things DO happen to people that talk to strangers.:: But... a huge part of my job consists of talking to people I don't know - aka - strangers. So where's the harm?

Perhaps I should I expound upon my heavy heart before I continue my (deep?) thinking.

I was leaving Andy's apartment tonight after stopping in for a quick hug and hello (and to get my Donate Life bracelet that I can't go a day without - thanks hun!) and I went out the back gate, like normal. There was this woman standing there, waving her arms and walking in front of my car. Thinking she needed directions or to be let in the gate, I slowed down and rolled my window down. She was carrying this plastic bag that looked heavy and full. Here's a summary of what our conversation consisted of:

Lady: Oh thank you ma'am. I need your help. This man gives me this bag of water bottles but I am HUNGRY! I was wondering if you could possibly take me down to the QT so I could get a hot dog. I know I should be grateful for the man givin' me these here water bottles and I should just drink them and the Lord will satisfy my hunger, but I am HUNGRY! I'm sooooooooo HUUUUNNNNGGRYYY. Could you please take me to the QT so I could get a hot dog?

Me: ::looks around my very full car that's loaded down with program supplies from an event that night (coolers and boxes):: Ma'am, I'm sorry but I don't have any room in my car. How about I give you $2 and you walk to QT just down the road?

Lady: Oh thank you so much. I mean, I could just get in the back. I'm so HUNGRY. ::takes money:: I couldn't just get in the back? Two hot dogs are $2.18. I guess I'll just drink these water bottles. I'm so hungry...I'm so hungry... Couldn't I get in the back?

Me: Have a good night, ma'am. ::drives off, wondering the truth in any of that::

Should I have given her the money? You might think "No way - she just wanted money for drugs or booze." Why is that ALWAYS our first response? What if someone really did need a few dollars for gas or food? I've heard of people taking hitchhikers or people on the street to a gas station and buying them a meal instead of just giving them money. But let's evaluate my then-current situation, shall we?

-10:00 p.m.
-Young female alone in car
-Leaving back gate of an apartment complex, that isn't well lit

Can you say "vulnerable extreme"?? I had no idea was actually in that bag. The only "empty" seat was behind me in the driver's seat, which also reads "vulnerable!!" So in that brief moment, I compromised with my hurting heart that wanted to take her to QT and buy her 10 hot dogs and my logical brain that said "Hit the gas. Go home. GET OUT." I figured that she couldn't buy booze with $2.00...so that's what I did.

The rest of my 10 minute drive home (props to the Lord for giving me a boyfriend who is CLOSE to me!), I thought about the thousands of homeless people in Cobb County and Atlanta. I wish I could bring them all to my apartment and feed them crackers, Diet Cokes and cookies (welcome to the diet of a 26 year old who doesn't cook). But I also know that if I stopped and helped people like the lady tonight, I'm putting myself in real danger. I know the Lord protects and provides, don't you start preaching at me. However, I feel like I should evaluate the situation and if I feel like it's safe, then sure, I'll do what I can. But most times, I find myself in situations like that and it's dark and I'm alone. And my scaredy-cat-ness takes over and I just think "GET OUT. GET OUT. GET OUT." Is this a bad reaction? I kind of feel bad for NOT feeling bad about my actions tonight. She could have easily walked to QT herself. But what did she really do? I'll never know. But I DO know that I did what I felt was right at that moment. I will (try not to) not feel bad about it.

So as I sit here in my (sweet boyfriend's) (Georgia Tech) T-shirt and (Old Navy) pajama pants, sipping a (caffeine free) Diet Coke, lounging in my (queen) bed, typing this on my (Mac) laptop and listening to (free) music on Spotify... I find myself praying for the homeless people across my county, region, state, country and world. I have so much in this world that thousands of people would give EVERYTHING to have. Am I appreciative of it? Do I say "Thank You" enough - and mean it? I have so much, yet I find myself wanting more. When did I become so selfish?

Lord, please be with those who are without tonight. Provide opportunities to them and help them make wise decisions. Forgive my selfish desires and greedy heart. Help me to DAILY choose to be more than satisfied with what I have. We are so undeserving.