When stopping for gas this morning there was a guy there who caught my attention as I was getting out of the car. He wasn't doing anything particular except leaving the store and going back to his car which was on the other side of the next island over. He proceeded to walk towards his car then make a big loop around the back of mine. At that point he asked if I could help "Us" out with a gallon of gas. I said no and he moved on. The whole time he was on the other side of the car I had a very uneasy feeling. He finally walked back toward his car lighting a cigarette along the way. I never saw him go to his car and the whole time I was trying to watch both sides of the pump.
When he finally left I could see he was alone. Since when does 1 = Us.
One of my pet peeves about people who want you to help them is when they ask you standing there smoking a cigarette. If you can afford a pack of smokes you could have bought yourself that gallon of gas.
Pay attention and listen to your instincts.
When you go to the gas station make sure you keep your car locked as it is easy for someone to go in the far side. I could not see to the other side of my car this morning due to the tint of the windows, water on the windows, and lighting at the service station. He could have been trying to open my passenger door and I wouldn't have had a clue.
All in all nothing happened. There may have been no intent on this persons part to attempt anything devious. But you never know what is in the mind of others. Be alert out there.
The thing about this kind of situation that is hard for me is that I was raised to help those in need out. There are so many out there who have been raised in this mindset that it has become a common thread to have people who abuse this generosity or worse use it to get inside your comfort zone to attack. All of this hurts the person who really is in need and could honestly use help.
Had a similar 'something ain't right' moment a while back.
ReplyDeleteTaking a friend to the airport at 11 p.m. stopped to get a soda for the drive out. Parked in front of the stop&rob, when I came out a single truck, door open was at the pumps with no one near it.
Single male was walking up and down the parking lot talking to folks...approached me as I came out asking "Hey I'm hungry, would you help me out by buying me a pizza from across the street?"
11 p.m. on a weekday? Hmm, store hours and set up with the car made me say no. He kept walking closer and I bladed, moved my hand closer to my IWB holster and said "That's close enough".
He walked toward the other end of the lot and asked someone else.
I'm for helping people but there is a time and place for it.
I think that our intuition is God's way of telling us who really needs help or not.