$5: Bigger Picture Moment

 

I saw it on the cement floor of a Old Navy, during the Black Friday Shopping hustle and bustle. Ab Lincoln was looking up at me with a wink in his eye. With no one around I subtly stooped over and slipped the five dollar bill into my hand.

 

“Woo Hoo,” I thought. “extra money for a latte.”

 

I pocketed the money and thought nothing of it. There was no one around to ask “hey did you drop this?” and seriously wouldn’t anyone admit to losing money, we all are right. Every day it falls through our hands like water. No one would turn down five bucks.

 

Later that day, when I stuck my hand in my coat pocket to find a set of keys, I felt the folded up bill. I removed it from its cozy confines and stuck it in the cup holder of my car to remind me of that latte was I supposed to purchase.

 

“Let’s go G,” I urge. Trying to get the little one out the door and buckled into the car so we can make the daily pilgrimage to preschool. Bundled in our coats, tucked into to toasty carseats we sang along to Holiday music during our morning commute. The weather had finally started turning brisk, and the hint of snow was in the air.

 

We were blocks away, but I saw him clearly. Dressed in jeans, and worn windbreaker with a backpack attached to his back. He was old, like my grandpa’s age, old with a white beard that was probably grown from lack of a razor and to protect his face from the elements. His sign said “Broke and need food.”

 

I have seen many men like this on my commute and not once have I rolled down my window or invited them into my space. It’s scary, right? They could be faking it just waiting for you to roll down your window and then they will hijack your car. But this guy seemed different, and a little voice in my head reminded me about my five dollars.

 

Quickly, before the light could change from red to green, I rolled down my window and handed that bill over to him. He thanked me very much, and took the money without even glancing at the amount {even though I could tell he wanted to.}

 

As G and I drove off to finish out the rest of our day, I smiled. And that latte? Well, I didn’t need it anyway, but that feeling in my heart I’ll take that every day.

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Each Thursday, we come together to celebrate living life with intention by capturing a glimmer of the bigger picture through a simple moment. Have you found yourself in such a moment lately? Share it with us!