Helping others

I drove by a young lady this afternoon who was standing at the edge of a busy intersection holding a sign.  It said, please help my family in large letters and underneath was written the words, bills, diapers and something I did not have a chance to read.  My light was green.  I went on my way to the interstate where I had a two hour drive ahead of me.  That gives you time to think.  I wondered about that young lady.  It would really wound my pride to stand beside the road and ask for help.  But, would I do it if my family needed help?  Then the question creeps in my mind, did she really need help?  As much as we would like to think that no would would--many people make a good living by panhandling.  I hope that life gets easier for that young family and they get help.  Maybe someone will direct her to an agency that can help.  I like to give people the benefit of the doubt. I want to help out when I can but I am always torn as to whether the stranger asking is really needy. I suppose I am feeling a little guilty for not helping.  After all if you give someone a gift, how the gift is used is up to them.