What would you say?

6 years ago Jason and I made a vow that grew out of our experience with some homeless friends. It was a simple vow. We committed to always having food and/or water in our car available to pass out to a hungry or thirsty fellowman. It seems to be a direct request from Jesus that we react when we know or see someone hungry, thirsty, naked... This was a simple way we could respond as we drove around our city. Daily we see men and women who fall into this category as we merge on and off the highways.

Our kids, who were not around when we first started this, quickly caught on to the mission. In their toddlerhood they became the "delivery team". We'd pass back a granola bar or bottle of water and roll the window down a bit as a hungry friend wandered over to them to receive our weak offering. Kids often bring smiles to even the most expressionless faces. Plus, it was OUR kids, who are cuter than average if I do say so myself! :)

Once they left toddlerhood, they became the "lookout team". Sometimes in the most inconvenient moments they will call out "I see someone who's homeless" (like when we're turning the corner in the opposite direction of the person they spotted.) My husband has said, on numerous occassions, "When they notice someone, we have to stop. That is a huge thing for them to be recognizing and learning to react to." He's wonderful.

It is rare, despite stereotypical assumptions, that our free food or drink is turned down. Normally it is joyfully or sorrowfully accepted. If we have time to ask for a name, we do. The reaction breaks my heart each time. Sometimes people forget. Sometimes there is a long, painful pause as if they haven't been asked that in forever and find it shocking. Sometimes it is reciprocated and there is a hand shake and a feeling of crossing boundaries that are sinfully thick. That is a victory.

There are times that our stash runs out and we delay in restocking it. It is humbling to have nothing to give when there is an audience of kids in the back that expect us to be ready. Recently, such was the case.

We pulled up to a stop light and a homeless man stood right outside the driver's window. He held a sign that said something about "every little bit helps." Jason picked up one of our good water bottles that was full for our park destination with cool purified water from our sink at home. It was a HOT and humid Houston day. He rolled down the window and offered it to the man who was visibly sweating.

He looked at it and shook his head no. Then he pulled out a bottle of hard liquor and began to chug it all the while staring us down.

My son said, "He's not thirsty, he has a drink. He needs some food. Maybe we should give him money since we ran out of cereal bars."

A million things went through my head as I digested my son's innocence and confusion as to why people are without homes and food and family...

We've explained it to them something like this: "Well, people are homeless for lots or reasons. Mostly people don't share well. There are lots of people with lots and lots of food, money, and things and then there are also lots of people with no food. Since we have food, we know we must share it with someone who doesn't to help this problem. Sometimes people are homeless because they lost their job or because their parents were homeless or because they were really sad and that made them make bad choices or run out of money to pay for a home."

In this moment it seemed like a more direct and mature explanation was required and my tongue was stuck. What would you say?