Blind Faith or Stupid Faith?

I think blind faith and basic trust is a wonderful thing.  I give what I can all the time, even though I was recently living in  shelter and am currently poor.  It just feels good to help someone in need.

My mother hates it, but I can't help it.  I am moved to share what I have with others out of blind faith.

I wish more people were like you.

Your son is a lucky boy.

I love it! It is so important to have faith in people and see the good. Also, about the gifts- we are responsible for what we give not what the recepient does with it. Otherwise, its not really a gift.

I agree, Lorena. It is so easy to say...oooh, I could use a hundred bucks. But not so easy to say, "do I really NEED it'. And I too am impressed that less than 200 people filled out the application!

I am one of the 236 so that the 188 may become smaller, the 20 can wonder, and the 4 can multiply.

What you did was great. I love the story about the plates of cookies and money, and I love that you trusted your "gut" to guide you. (I say "gut" because I would credit a higher power for that).

And I think it's amazing, knowing that far more than 188 people read your blog, that only that many asked to be considered. When I read your offer, I thought about how my own family often considers what we don't have, but I also thought of the many, many blessings we have and that we have our own home and vehicles and books and a computer and a healthy family (I am especially grateful for that after reading about the Fish family) and so may other things.
I think the best part is that only 188 people asked for money and several more donated money. These are the good people of the world you talk about, and I live in a community with many, many people like that.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Thanks, I needed that.

How do we send you a message Dan? I have tried to find an email address on your site but can't.

When I was in Elementary school, I had a good friend who's family didn't have much. I would go to her house and play often and would have fun. One year, around Christmas, my family knew that they didn't have much for their kids ( i think about 4 kids...). We had a feeling that they wouldn't even be able to afford any type of tree. So we went out and picked up a fat, wonderful tree, set it on their doorstep with a note " From Santa", and left. Luckily no one was home at the time. We didn't say who it was from, but my friend told me her parents knew it was from me and my family. We didn't need a card, or to hear a " Thank You", because we knew we didn't need it. We knew a family with small children who believe in Santa and the magic of Christmas were not going to be able to have any magic, and we gave them that magic. I am 29 years old and I still remember my family doing that and it makes me happy knowing that we made a family happy on Christmas.

This is what I'm having problems with in my life right now. Wanting to take care of myself (without feeling selfish).

People sometimes, and not all, tend to see the worst in people. I get it myself, being on disability, I get attacked by various groups and pages I am on if they know.Comments such as I must be a drug addict because I don't believe in drug testing those on welfare and cutting their families off when it is needed. I must be a mean woman because I agree both parties are responsible or their children, not just the mother, not just the father.It happens. Immediately it seems people seek out the worst case scenario.WHat you did was awesome thing to do Dan, and I honestly wish there were more people in the world like you. Such a better place it would be.Keep up the good work, and awesome blog, I look forward to reading your posts daily.

Thank you,

I needed that. I didn’t know how bad I needed it until I read it and I probably won’t know how much it really means to me until it has a chance to sink in. This Christmas season has not been an easy one for me. My son, age 9, has a brain tumor. He was diagnosed when he was three so it is something we are kind of used to living with. This September his “routine” MRI showed some scary changes. (There is no such thing as a routine MRI just in case you were wondering.) Needless to say I have been just a little stressed. To make matters worse the kids at school have been bulling my son really badly this year. Dealing with the issues at school has been unpleasant. I can’t begin to express how much anger I feel when I hear about other kids teasing, excluding and hitting my child. Then there was the RI craziness over the state holiday tree. As a non-Christian family it felt so good to have the governor include us in the holiday season and it felt very bad to have so many people being hateful about it. In all this I was beginning to lose my own blind faith in people. The blind faith that saw my little family through my son’s three brain surgeries was being replaced by the refrain “I hate people”. Thank you for reminding me that I chose how I feel about people. I do not have to be a victim of the few who decide to be hateful.

About 13 years ago I was working at Taco Bell and living with my mother (as teenagers tend to do) and only had to pay for my car. The rest of my money was mine to play with. One payday I was driving around for no real reason and saw a young man sitting on the side of the road with a sign asking for "anything". I thought about him for several blocks before turning around. I picked him up and took him to the grocery store where I bought over a hundred dollers in food and basic suplies. He was so polite when he asked for each item and could hardly believe I was doing this for him, all the way back to the cheap motel he was living in with his girlfriend. When we took my purchases inside and he introduced me to her I saw that she was on oxygen and more or less confined to her chair. I had no idea of any of that when I picked him up. I simply thought "He looks like he could use some help". I just went with blind faith.

I once left my purse in a shopping cart in a busy parking lot in San Jose, Ca. I didn't realize it until I got home (15 minutes later). It was such a huge relief to find it waiting for me behind the customer service counter when I went back a few minutes later.

I just found your blog in the last couple of days. Okay, I saw the plug on the Blendtec FB Page. :) So I didn't see the original post, but I have to say, you rock. I share your feelings on "going with your gut", giving because you can, etc. I know the economy stinks, and there are LOTS of people who need help. I started a ChipIn fund for a friend of mine who's come on some hard times, and it's raised almost $700 in just a few weeks. God bless everyone who has faith, blind or otherwise, in humanity.

I like both ideas.

Sometimes, faith is what the world needs most. Faith in the good in people.

And I think, the people who follow your blog will never get the idea to really fill out the form if they don't need the money. It's a moral thing. I trust in the people reading this blog. :)

Plus I trust in your ability to choose the right ones.

(Still, being curious, I'd love to hear how you were able to choose the ones getting the money. :) )

I don't think it's blind or stupid faith. I believe in following your heart or that nudge and this discussion led me back to your original post about Gary and his family and, having just a few hours ago been celebrating and thankful as I launched the new community on my site, I then gave the money from said launch to Gary. It's not much but I was following a nudge. Thank you for writing about it again that I may do so. I'm new to your blog and wouldn't have necessarily have read about the Fish family without this discussion.

Mosiah 4:16-18

"And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turneth him out to perish.

"Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just.

"But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same has great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done, he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.

Which is to say, I approve of your actions, Dan (as if you need my approval?). I know there are skeptics out there. Let them be warmed by the paranoia in their own hearts. If someone claims to have a need and you can afford to help.. and you CHOSE to help, more power to you.

I'm all for giving and not worrying about whether the other person "deserves it" or "really needs it". If they ask and I have it, I give. I believe we create the world we live in, our reality, and if we are generous, then we live in a world with generosity. If we help strangers, we live in a world where people help strangers. If we give others the benefit of the doubt, then we get to live in a world where people get the benefit of the doubt. It may seem simplistic, but it works for me!

I also briefly thought about filling out the form as I am on disability and make less then 700 a month, but I didn't because I also am in school and got the excess back from my student loans in Nov. about 400 dollars. No one but my niece and triplet boys are getting a Christmas present from me but at least they are. Oh and I have to thank you for the idea of what to get the boys for Christmas. I got them the same cameras you got Noah when you went to England to see your brother.

the cookie story made me really crying happy :') That 'gut' feeling is the leading of the Spirit, my friend. Amen and Hallelujah.

:)

I gave it half a seconds consideration when you presented the form for the $100. To be honest, we are living paycheck to paycheck. And $100 would go a long way to helping our Christmas. But that's where it stopped for me. I can live paycheck to paycheck, pay all my bills and have a few $ left over each month to put into savings. It's not much, maybe $25, maybe $50, but not a lot. But it's there. And because of that I didn't fill out the form. I didn't *have* to have the $100 to make Christmas possible at my house. And I'm sure many others did the same. Sure, there's probably 5% of the population that will lie, cheat and steal (even from people who have to decide between paying the heating bill an buying groceries), but most people really ask themselves where they're at, and if they need it more than someone else who may be deserving. I guess I'm with you - people are basically good, people are generally honest. And if they're not, that's between them and whatever forces they believe in.

Thank-you for sharing! And thank-you for sharing what you have with others (rather they need it or not)! I believe if we all just shared a little bit of what we have it will make this world a better place, and will make each one of us better people!

My pastor said something once that REALLY REALLY stuck with me ... he said something like, "do not look for "why" in showing mercy..." for example - if you see someone begging for money on the exit of the interstate do not look at them and say, "well why are they in this situation" ... and then decide whether or not you are going to show mercy - just SHOW it. It is not up to us to ask why or to make sure they use the money in the "right" way - it is just up to use to be merciful and to give back. Make sense?? I do not believe that we are blessed so we can hoard up in our homes and keep our blessings to ourselves - we are blessed so we can bless others.

The first thing that goes through my head about the 20 people is - they are nosy. Seriously, that was the first thing I thought. Why should the 188 have to write a paragraph explaining "WHY" they're are in the situation they're in. I will be honest too - when you told the story about the cookies, I thought to myself, "what if they threw the plate out and didn't get the money b/c they didn't know where the cookies came from" ... silly, huh? But you are right - that doesn't matter - you are your wife were doing what you felt led to do ... and then it seemed like so much fun!!! Can you imagine the look on their face when they saw the money! Wouldn't you have loved to have been a fly on the wall.

OMG!!! I started doing the same thing this year!! Our house was badly damaged by hurricane Irene. We are not living in it right now due to the damage. However, I feel so lucky that it happened to us that I got two VISA gift cards and gave them to two families at my son's school that I knew (from volunteering there) needed them!! We made our empty house into a haunted house just for fun but plan on doing it every year and taking donations for a homeless shelter/domestic violence shelter in our area. I am actually enjoying having damage from the hurricane!! I feel more alive than ever!!

1. hopeful 2. pretty cool 3. cautious (my fill-in-the-blank answers)

Wow! This is the first I've read of you donating for Christmas. This has been something I have thought of a lot lately. This world is in crisis and I have given to every homeless shelter in my home town but I didn't feel it was enough. My husband and I are a single income family living pay check to pay check and I am grateful. Grateful to have any income. Grateful to have HOME. Grateful to be able to give my children a Christmas. Even if it is a gift under the tree and a day surrounded by people who love them. When I decided I needed to donate coats and gloves to the newly opened teen shelter (makes me very sad that there are so many homeless teens that they now have their own shelter) I didn't for one second worry that these kids were really in need. I hope your encouraging blind faith touches more people. I believe you need blind faith in your children and spouse also. It breeds trust and love.

(sigh) I don't think blind faith is "stupid", but it is very dangerous. Virtually every crime you read about in the papers is because someone believed, in blind faith, that it was okay to park on that street, or safe to walk down that block, or that the other car will stop at his red light, or that an abusive spouse will "change their ways". The world is a dangerous place. Humans are a dangerous species. That doesn't mean that there aren't good people or safe places, but a sensible mind MUST acknowledge the full spectrum of possibilities and choose according to circumstances.

Way to go Dan, beautifull stated yet again.

Thank you Dan once again. I love your Blind Faith. Who are we to judge who needs the 100 and who doesn't? And even if it happens to be a drug addict or an alcoholic - we don't know their story and how they got where they are.

This year has been hell for myself and my family. My husband lost his job in May and we went several months on just my pay which wasn't enough to cover everything. We would go one month and pay one bill and the next month pay something else. Our rent was always late and then in October the management told us they were filing eviction unless we came up with $2200.00 by the following week. We pulled four of our paychecks together and still didn't have enough. A family friend gave us $600.00 so we could keep the roof over our children's heads. Otherwise, we would have been living out of our truck. We finally started getting caught up on the late bills and I lost my job last week. We were depending on my next check to buy Christmas gifts for the kids. We are ok though and we will be fine.

There are people out there that need the help, especially in these times. You inspire me with your giving. Thanks!

I think what you did is beautiful. It is so easy to think the worst of people. The community I grew up in had a very negative attitude. and it was very easy to see that. A few years ago, my uncle, who was one of the single most trusting, respectful and loving people ever to walk this earth (IMHO), was walking to my parent's house for supper, as he did most evenings. On the way he collapsed. He was on the property line of my parent's house, but the way the house was turned, we would never have found him. He had had a minor stroke. He remembers cars driving by him. They didn't even slow down. Finally, one concerned neighbor did slow down, and at Uncle's request, brought him to our house, where we were waiting for him to come for supper. He laid there for about 15 minutes. If that random person had not have stopped, it could have been a lot longer and he could have died.

before this incident I was always skeptical of people. I would have been one of the cars that drove by, thinking it was just someone dunk or whatever. I would not have stopped to help him. But now, I am less cynical. I will stop to help where I can, and yes, that might put me in danger, but I feel that the amount of good people I know far out weighs the bad people, and I like to think that that would hold true for the world at large.

Sometimes you simply have to follow your heart and take a chance. If only half the recipients of the $100.00 truly needed it, then you have done a great thing. I think you are right, though-they all needed it. I live my life on blind faith. 10 years ago I saw a desperate need in my community and thought, "Somebody needs to do something." Well, guess what? I AM somebody. I started a little non-profit with my tax return- my personally needed tax return. Blind faith. Eventually, I had to choose between my real job and the non profit. $30,000.00 per year and 8 hours per day to $7.00 per hour and uncountable hours per day. Blind faith. Here is my little secret: I am as financially poor or poorer than many of the people we help. Sometimes I have no heat. Sometimes things break and I don't know how I will fix them. I buy my clothes at Goodwill. No one knows how we struggle. And every time we scraped the bottom of the barrel-personally or at the non profit- a miracle walked in. Every time. Listen to your heart. Helping others is not reasonable or prudent. Bottom line: if you are kind with the expectation of accolades and awards you will be disappointed. If you are kind because it is simply the right way to be you will be happy. Thank you for stepping out for others.

I was an over-the-road truck driver for many years before I was injured. I started over at age 48, am going to school full-time and trying to find a job. While I was driving a truck, I ran into many people asking for money. I would give what I could, buy them a meal, or give them a ride. Other truckers would give me a hard time saying "Oh he is just going to spend it on booze" or "She's going to get drugs". I listened to a lot of inspirational tapes from Dr. Wayne Dyer and he addressed the issue of giving. He said something to the effect of it was not his problem what the person did with the money Dr. Dyer gave the individual. The only thing Dr. Dyer was concerned about was that he personally did an act of kindness. The rest was up to God. I always gave freely because it is not my place to judge. I am only responsible for my actions.

I am sad when I hear comments of distrust. I sometimes think that the people who don't trust others, do not trust themselves.

I will share one of my favorite Christmas trucking stories with you. I was in a truck stop in Matthews, MO. I saw a man asking around if anyone was going towards Springfield, IL. I was heading south but had a return load going back to Iowa. I told him if he was still there when I came back through, I would take him. This was 12/21/93. My load was delayed so it was early morning on 24th when I got back to the truck stop. When I got up to leave, the gentleman was still there trying to get home for Christmas. I told him to hop in and off we went. The man was a Vietnam veteran and been wandering for awhile. He had not been home for over ten years. When I pulled into Springfield to drop him off, he cried because he was so grateful. I gave him a hug and told him to have a Merry Christmas. I don't know what happened to him. I just know what an amazing feeling it gave me. Every time I pass through Springfield, IL, I think about him and the gift of joy he gave me that Christmas!

Thanks for being so charitable and filled with compassion. Various charities are struggling this year, and the response to an article on the news website was very disheartening. Folks saying "why don't these people just get a job and stop looking for handouts?" Who is to say that one or both parents have lost a job. Been diagnosed with cancer. Had a heart attack or stroke. Who's KID has been diagnosed with cancer. House flattened by tornado or fire. I applaud that you gave the $500 to houses that just "seemed" right. My husband and I live in a decent 3 bedroom house - but with my elderly mom - she can no longer live alone and only has a social security income. Savings long ago wiped out due to my dad's cancer, and her heart attack & strokes. My daughter & son-in-law are both unemployed, they AND their 5 year old daughter are here too. I needed cataract surgery this year, still making doctor payments to cover deductibles and co-insurance. Had a dental emergency and needed to shell out $500 immediately. Unexpected car expenses of $1200. You never know. A friend of mine told me once that when her husband lost his job several years ago, $100 mysteriously appeared in their mail. They never knew who sent it, but it meant the world to them that somewhere someone cared. They have been paying it forward ever since.

I have a story. When I was a young I mean like 2 or 3 My parents divorced. My mom had married my dad when she was 16. She dropped out of high school to take care of her family, which in my opinion was a very noble thing. When they divorced she had four young children n money, no education, and nowhere to turn. She rented a 1 bedroom trailer and got a job at a 7 11 in hopes of feeding us. But we simply weren't making it. There were so many acts of kindness that influenced us. These acts came as complete surprises every time and without them we would not have made it. Me and my 3 sibling would have been sent to foster care and who knows what else could have happened. One man paid for my mom's first semester of college. Another brought us beds to sleep on so we could get off the floor. Another bought us groceries on many occasions. But the one story that will stay in my mind forever is this: It was Christmas. It was cold. We had no heater barely any food and a lifetime of sadness. I was only 6. Me and my siblings never got the opportunity to believe i Santa because there just wasn't enough money. Our presents usually consisted of a new pair of socks or a loaf of bread. One day there was a knock on the door we answered to find nobody. As we looked around someone glanced down and there they saw a plate of cookies. We NEVER got to have delicious treats like that. It was one of the best days of my life. We gobbled them up as quickly as possible. When the last cookies were gone my mom began to cry. I didn't understand it until I saw an empty card in one hand and $500 dollars in the other. I got my first doll that Christmas. We had food for several months and we had a nice Christmas feast (by that I mean there was actual food rather than mac and cheese or a can of green beans). I can't remember ever being happier. I seriously doubt this was you because it was such a long time ago and in Texas, but I believe in mankind. I know that one act of kindness can save a persons future. It can bring them out of the gulls of bitterness. People have so much influence to change the world one person at a time and they often don't even realize it. I am thanking you because I can't thank the person who did it then. SO on behalf of all ofus who were once in need. Thank You!

Dan, every time I read your articles, it makes my heart happy. It is good to know that there are still so many good people out there like you and the followers of your blog. Your writing is inspiring and your attitude is infectious. Keep it up, Dan. I wish I had been part of the 4 that sent you a personal email because I did think it was a wonderful thing you did! But I am very happy to be one of the 236.

I agree with EVERYTHING that you have said here. I feel exactly the same... How do I know that the men I bought breakfast for yesterday, aren't insulted by my action, or that they aren't getting food & money from lots of people throughout the day? I don't, and I don't care. I just know that they now have a hot meal in their belly on a cold day, and they know that someone out there cares that they are ok. How do I know that the toques,scarves & mittens I bought for kids at the school are really needed by those kids? I trust my gut. I see those kids every day with not enough clothing on to stay warm. I believe they would like to be warm. I could go on. The point is, we need people to care about other people. Sometimes recklessly. The world would be a much, much, better place if more people worried less about possibly getting ripped off, or judging those that need help, and just gave - from their hears. It's the best thing in the world to give. Dan, I think you're awesome!
Kindest regards,
Tanya

I think that is one of the coolest things I've ever heard. Can you imagine how those people felt? Even if they didn't need the money - just to know that someone did something that awesome is amazing. People who think blind faith is irresponsible and/or stupid are missing the point. It's good to have faith. If someone abuses that faith, they will know they did and it will stay with them. In the end, it will very possibly serve as a powerful life lesson to that person. We have no idea what the effects of our faith are one minute, a few weeks, or even several years down the road.

Thanks for writing those 5 checks, Dan!

"It is in giving that we receive."

We have something here (and you might too) that's called freecycle. People post stuff they want to give away for free. I've received heartbreaking stories in the past and ended up giving some clothes of my daughter that actually still fit her because someone else was without heat and warm clothes for the little ones. I will have another post on the weekend which will include clothes, toys etc. I could easily sell this stuff but I see that people are really hurting out there.

Dan,

I've never commented on your blog before but I am so often inspired by your optimism. I have laughed and cried along with your blogs. I am a single mother of two amazing children and am a full time nursing student. It's not easy at all, and there are days when I wonder how I'm doing it. I also have started a support group this year for women leaving abusive relationships. It's growing slowly, but I have dreams about the charity it will become. There was not enough personalized help out there when I was leaving my situation and I'm trying to provide that to as many women as I can.

The only reason I was able to leave my situation with my children was to rely on a family friend's blind faith. I was basically given an amazing house at a low price so that the owners could move to be with their grandchildren, after living 25 years across the street from my parents. I now live in a spacious house with my healthy, happy children, who have access to their grandparents whenever they want to see them. If it hadn't been for these amazing people, I don't know what would have become of us. I'm not in any way okay financially, but I'm somehow making it....and I'm going to continue to succeed.

I rambled, but thank you. Thank you so much for being an inspiration.