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Jordan's are one of my material weaknesses in the world. They in all sense of God and just plain humanity are a little in humane. They run about $120-170 and are close to half the average household income of a family in Ethiopia. 

I show my Jordan's because they symbolize something I had taken for granted today. My blessings!

Most people who know me, know I was born in Korea and was adopted at the age of 3 by two wonderful people in Southern California. I grew up with a loving home and though we didn't have a lot of money we weren't poor.

     I write this because of a situation that happened to me today. IT MADE ME REALIZE HOW BLESSED I TRULY AM. Even though we didn't have a lot of money or material wealth I was always blessed with someone in my life who gave me a great opportunity.

    Today I was at my girlfriends house on my vacation and I was beginning to mow her lawn. As I made my third or fourth pass down the lawn in the backyard her dog ran towards the front gate. I stopped to see what she was barking at and I saw a middle aged black woman approach the gate. I turned off the mower and headed towards the women. She politely asked," can I do some work for you". I assessed the situation, she didn't appear homeless but not well kept either. I replied, "sorry but this is not my place and I'm already mowing the lawn, thank you but no thank you." She then asked, "Can I have fifty cents"? I again replied, "sorry but I don't have money one me." I knew this was a lie because in my wallet in the house I had $20. She smiled and she kindly went on her way. Me being so apprehensive I went into the house to make sure I locked the front door . For all I know this lady was a crackhead.

    As she left I saw her walk down the street pushing a lawn mower and knocking on the door of a few more houses where the lawn appeared to be needing  a good mow. I was so embarrassed and I went back to mowing the lawn. As I walked up and down the lawn the guilt and shame started to overflow in my mind. When I was growing up I always had a neighbor like Mr Grover, or Coach like Coach Woodward, or  a Mr Eddy, or a Coach Reidmiller that allowed me to mow their lawn or make a few extra dollars, or gave me opportunities that lead me to where I am today. She wasn't looking for a handout.

     I pride myself in being a Christian but more so a decent human being. I had just failed miserably. A person who was adopted by two White parents, was half Black and Korean, had made a judgement on a person and didn't help someone less fortunate. Me, with all the  blessings that I've received over the last year and I was tested and I hated myself for it. I finished mowing the lawn and I was so distraught and actually had tears in my eyes. I felt so bad because I had the opportunity to help someone and I didn't want to be bothered. 

     The minute I finished mowing the lawn I went running through the streets like a mad man searching for the women. I found her about three blocks over and she had not found any takers yet. I introduced myself and told her I was a liar and that I was sorry. I handed her the twenty dollars and said that I wish I could give her more. From the initial conversation I didn't see her wonderful smile. Not like it matters but she was mentally  challenged, which made me even more shameful. Despite her disability you could see that she was a lover of life and so appreciative, her smile and just the way she carried herself you could see every minute breathing is truly a blessing . I said my good byes and she said I was an angel and God bless. But little did she know that she was the angel and a reminder of how truly blessed I am. 

    The next time I'm tested will I fail as miserably as I did today? I hope not, Lord willing

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