L
Lily235
Guest
While living in France I ended up getting to know one particular woman who begs on the street. I tend to give her more money than I am comfortable giving her, and I feel trapped and conflicted. I assume here that she is being honest with me. Besides, I do not think it is my job to decide who is worthy of my money or not. So I give her money, sometimes buy her groceries, too. I am writing because I feel quite conflicted about this whole issue and I need some help to figure it out.
Here is the ambivalence point: Am I actually giving her too much? Or do I feel this way because I have an attachment that I need to get over?
I tried to confess reluctance to give, in case it is the latter, and the priest told me that it is not my job to make up for the deficiencies in the French government!
I gave her about $400 last month, which is cutting into my budget a little, but is quite a lot more than she and her kids can get. Oh, I am single so my financial decisions only affect me. Furthermore, I am going to return to USA in August and she will be getting official authorization to work in August (and her oldest is now old enough for a part-time job, too). Its not like this is going to be a permanent thing, either my ability to give her money or her need for it. It seems like maybe God put me here to tide her over. The timing is too suspicious.
Does anyone have any insights that could be helpful here?
Here is the ambivalence point: Am I actually giving her too much? Or do I feel this way because I have an attachment that I need to get over?
I tried to confess reluctance to give, in case it is the latter, and the priest told me that it is not my job to make up for the deficiencies in the French government!
I gave her about $400 last month, which is cutting into my budget a little, but is quite a lot more than she and her kids can get. Oh, I am single so my financial decisions only affect me. Furthermore, I am going to return to USA in August and she will be getting official authorization to work in August (and her oldest is now old enough for a part-time job, too). Its not like this is going to be a permanent thing, either my ability to give her money or her need for it. It seems like maybe God put me here to tide her over. The timing is too suspicious.
Does anyone have any insights that could be helpful here?