how my migraine fed a dog named Spooner Wayne

This afternoon, I got the crazy idea to go to yoga for the first time.  I came home, got my clothes together and was already to go.  And then, out of nowhere, a blinding, nauseating migraine hit me.  So much for the Y.  So, I went to CVS and then was going to pick something up for dinner.  After I meandered through CVS a bit, I paid and went to the car.  As I was getting in, a man approached me and asked if I had any change.  Told him I was fresh out, which is true, since i never have cash.  After I got in the car, I remembered a I had $1 bill in there, just in case I ever needed it.  I took it to him, and he graciously thanked me and said he was just trying to get some money to buy his dog a bag of food.  I got back in the car, and as I went to put my keys in the ignition, my heart sank.  I started thinking of the very spoiled dogs I had waiting for me at home, waiting to eat their organic grain free food.  I'm called to feed the hungry, but that's always applied to people.  But the one thing on earth that consistently breaks my heart is animals who are put in situations beyond their control.  So, I got my purse and told him to go inside and pick out the food and I'd pay for it.  As we walked through the store, I caught a glimmer in eyes as he spoke about the Chow-Beagle ("I call him a Cheagle", he told me) that he adopted from the Humane Society 19 years ago.  As he picked out the food, he told me that it was really expensive - he usually gets it at Family Dollar for $2.14.  I told him that was ok, that he didn't have to worry about it.  As we walked out, he told me his puppy would thank me, and told me to have a blessed night.  Shortly after he walked away, two of the ladies working inside came out to thank me.  I drove to Wendy's to grab my dinner.  After I pulled out and drove toward my house, something made me go past it and drive towards my old house.  I saw the man standing outside Sam's Smoke Shop, and pulled up next to him.  I grabbed my cheeseburger and salad and told him that I figured since his dog was hungry, he probably was too. He started to tear up as he said yes, and explained that he was trying to support himself, 5 kids, and 2 adults, as well as his dog.  My heart sank.  I talked with him a minute, to see if he actually had somewhere to live (a house close to the zoo), and if he had a job (he does roofing work but doesn't have anything right now).  He told me that he would feed his little dog before he'd feed himself, and a few tears started streaming down his face as he talked about Spooner Wayne.  He said he never sees people like me anymore, and I told him that I followed Jesus and that's what I'm supposed to do.  He smiled and said "I do too."  I asked if he needed anything else, and he said "just let me give you a hug and thank you for all of this".  As he walked away and I got in my car and drove off, I saw him carrying a bag of dog food, a bag from Wendy's, and his head a little bit higher.  And I was feeling blessed that I had the funds to go back through another drive thru, and feed that grain free organic food to my dogs when I got home.

I'm not bragging.  Not at all.  I'm trying to get you to think about what tugs at your heart, so the next time God puts someone in your path you can recognize it and fulfill your purpose.

And yes, Jenny & Fenway got a little extra food in their bowl tonight, and an extra treat when I got home.