Raymond Lessons 6 - Only Ask for What You Need

Lessons from Raymond, the homeless man 
Who helped prepare me for the road.
To view previous lessons, find my playlist entitled: Raymond Lessons.

Lesson 6: Only Ask for What You Need

“Only ask for what you need.
Calculate how much gas you’ll need 
To get to the next town of any size.
And then ask for that amount.
If they give you more,
Give it away.
“This is how it comes to me,” he said.
And as if to punctuate this point,
A little later, he came out of the grocery store.
“Someone just gave me $35,” he said.
“Come in and I will buy you lunch.”
“Did you ask?” I said.
“No,” he said.
“Something like this happens every day,” he said.
And when we had eaten, 
He gave me seven dollars
And spent the rest on 
Cigarettes and alcohol
So that the $35 was spent.
And I don’t need cigarettes or alcohol,
But there are those who can use what I don’t need.
And I thought this sounds familiar - a life of daily faith.
Constantly letting go of all I do not need,
Trusting that more will come.