He was just standing there.  I knew he was waiting for me and I was certain I knew why. He was relatively young, somewhere in his 20s.  His dress was middle of the road for that age group.  I watched his face and body language.  I was confirmed in my judgment.

My judgment was that he would ask me for money.  I did not appreciate being stopped at this time on Sunday morning.  The half hour between Radio Sunday School and Radio Education (another radio program) is my time and is a scarce commodity for me.

I receive numerous money requests each week from churches, organizations and individuals.  These do not come just from the nine counties which I represent in District 23, but from all over the state.  It is non stop.  Some come by mail, some by phone, and some in person.

I cannot separate those that are Senate related from others.  Even those that are truly personal are Senate related in the minds of those making the requests.  So often they start by saying they voted for me and how they will vote for me next time.  I try to find a nice way to say that how they voted cannot be a part of this particular conversation.

The challenge is determining how to give to those really in need while stifling the hustlers.  Even need is an issue for sometimes a need is very real but it is for the wrong things like drugs, alcohol, etc.  I do not want to give to feed dependency.

Now back to the original story.  When I got off the phone, the young man said, “You helped me several years ago and I never paid you back.” I was sure that was a prelude to asking for more money so I watched and listened closely.  He went on, “I just want you to know that I intend to pay you even if it is a little at a time.  I thank you for all you did for me.”

I could see that he was through with the subject as he prepared to walk away.  I was dumbfounded.  I had judged him wrongly and I felt truly disappointed in myself. We ought not to judge.  I try but I fail too often.  Every time we judge, we wrongly take something from someone or wrongly give something to someone.  However, if I judge, I would rather wrongly give than wrongly take.  I failed that Sunday morning.