While my wife Lynn and I were traveling to Cocoa Beach a couple of weeks ago, we stopped in Tifton, Ga., to eat dinner around 9 p.m. We had been driving for several hours and wanted to eat before we stopped for the night.

We decided to pull into an Applebee’s for a late dinner. As we walked to the door, we noticed a middle-aged woman and an older woman sitting by the entrance.

As we walked up, the lady greeted us and began to share with us their story. They had tried to buy groceries, but her mother’s food card was declined at a local grocery store.

She went on to say they did not have any food at home and they were hungry. She also told us that she was not asking for money, but asked if we could help her with some food. I told her we would see what we could do and went in.

We decided we would order a meal for the women and asked the server to take it out to them when it was ready. When the order was ready, the women had left.

I suppose I should have told them we had ordered the meal for them. The waiter told us that people sat outside on a regular basis asking for food, that we should not be concerned because they were just looking for a free meal.

Many times in the past, I tried to make myself believe this as well, but I have decided if I have the opportunity to help, and not assume the worst of folks, I have done my part. If the need presents itself, I will try to help the person, not necessarily with money but with other means when possible.

None of us really knows when we could face the same situation. A job change, a medical hardship or any number of things could bring about a life-changing event that could place our families without a home or even our next meal. If we try to do what is right, in most instances the return will be favorable for us. I will roll the dice in favor of helping someone in need; Jesus guarantees us a win when we do.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25: 34, 40 (NIV)

Randy Garrison is the president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.