Awesome post - thank you!

And yes, it can be taught, as my parents modeled this for me and my sisters growing up. We all not only donated money or goods, but our time and talents, and it has always come back to us in amazing and wonderful ways.

And yeah, sometimes someone takes advantage, but so what? I've given gas money to a lot of people over the years, and statistics alone says that a few were likely playing me. If I really helped one person who was truly in need, I'm okay with being played by one or more who weren't, because maybe they'll be moved at some point to pay it forward, and to help someone else.

But then there was the one night where I just suddenly had to go to the store, despite not really needing what I was going to get until the next day, but I had this wild hare that I had to do it tonight. Now. Despite it already being late.

So I went, got what I needed, and on the way back to my car, I was approached by a young woman who was clearly distraught, trying to get gas money to get to her mom in Knoxville.

She had just run out of her abusive relationship, had her two little kids with her in the car, with pretty much nothing but the clothes on their backs. She didn't have enough gas to get across town, much less to Knoxville, so I had her follow me to the gas station next door, put more than enough fuel in her tank, and gave her what little cash I had on me.

Was she playing me? I'd bet cash money she was not.

I felt strongly that the reason I felt that I had to go to the store NOW was that I was being called to help her. And everything in me said that she was not acting, that her plight was real, and that her gratitude was real.

I pray that everything worked out well for them in the end.

Your kids are awesome, but you already know that. And they have an awesome mom. ;-)