Day #34: Give Some Oranges

Day #34: Give Some Oranges 1

We rolled into Mobile, Alabama earlier this evening. We made two stops on the way here to use the restroom (which means we found a safe place to pull over and walked back to our fifth wheel to use our own bathroom - so much better than public restrooms)!

Once we got everything setup at our new RV park, we attempted to go to the grocery store. We didn't recognize any of the grocer names on the GPS so we chose one and headed off. When we arrived at the location, it was more of a grimy drive-through liquor/snack store than a place to take the family. We didn't even go in.

Not sure what to do, we ended up driving back to our RV without groceries.

A little later, I asked a neighbor where we should go. It was getting late so this time I went by myself. I found the grocery store, bought everything on our list, and started up the truck to get home.

As I was driving through the parking lot, I saw a laundrymat. There was a group of elementary age boys hanging out just outside the entrance. I stopped the truck and grabbed a bag of a dozen oranges to hand out. At first, only one boy wanted an orange. Then, a couple of other boys wanted one. Before I left, I asked one of the kids if he wanted all of the rest. He smiled and took them right away.

As I was driving away, I could see him handing out the remaining oranges.

7 comments on “Day #34: Give Some Oranges”

  1. Your story reminds me of the Liberty Mutual commercial in which one person's act of kindness begins a chain reaction of kindness. How great you must have felt to see the boys sharing their gift!

  2. Smile. I opened my front door yesterday to find 2 grocery bags full of grapefruits that my neighbor left for me. She knows I love them...

  3. We had the same issue trying to find a market while traveling through Louisiana and Mississippi.
    We picked all the oranges, tangerines off our trees Tuesday and I took them to a meeting at church along with plastic bags for people to take home.

  4. What a sweet gesture, no pun intended! And to answer your tweet, I'd recommend the Carolinas. Both were beautiful, but our kids really enjoyed the Carolinas-we found some adorable small towns to spend time in, went blueberry picking, went to Myrtle Beach, plus there's a lot to do in the Raleigh area....we really enjoyed it and stayed longer than we'd planned in the Carolinas.

  5. I LOVE that you served children in such a random way. I'd be willing to bet that at least one of those kids will remember the example you set by trusting them, loving them, serving them, and treating them as "important people" vs. just kids as so many cultures do. So many people serve children in such an "adult" way (charities, food banks, volunteering at schools, etc - all wonderful ways) but I'm always so happy when I see adults serving kids as they would serve other adults. Very cool way to show kids that they are a valuable part of our society!

Our family spent 2011 traveling the USA in an RV, striving to intentionally "give every day" for the glory of God. We interviewed CEOs of nonprofits and served alongside over 40 organizations and churches.

Our Pledge

We hereby pledge:

- To spend intimate, quantity time with our family.
- To actively help the poor, the sick, the lonely, and the helpless.
- To value, protect, and advocate for children.
- To de-emphasize the importance of “stuff” in our lives.
- To bring publicity to good causes and good people.
- To live with intentionality, as if this year was our very last.
- To observe the needs in our country/community – and then do something about them.
- To give – every day.

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