Love Always Leaves a Mark

What a waste of time to hand out gift cards and toys - this is a wealthy area, they don’t need it.  They don’t want your handouts, they’ll just go to Target and get what they need.

Have you experienced this before?  You have an idea to help, it stirs your heart and you follow only to have your motives questioned, your strategy second guessed, or your mission belittled?

As we paddled closer and closer to Malibu, the devastation got more and more shocking.  Instead of 20% or the houses in piles of rubble, there were only 20% of the houses standing …surrounded by a massive pile of rubble.  The absence of people was only truly realized when we saw some people for the first time in HOURS.  It was as if our brains got used to the idea that it was IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to be there and suddenly there they were.

I paddled straight to them.  Look - I came out here to offer comfort to victims of the fire and this was the best chance I had seen so far.  

“EXCUSE ME!”  I yelled still 30 yards out hoping I could overpower the sound of the waves on shore.

The woman turned around to look at me, then called to her husband.  It was a little awkward to keep paddling closer without being able to talk over the sound of the waves.

I jumped off my board and walked it up onto the sand:

“Do you live here?” I asked as the couple was standing in front of a pile of rubble.

“Yes” she said

Her husband jumped in - “Wow!  Are you Jesus walking on water?” …I laughed a little - maybe I am today.

“How are you here?” I asked and his face lit up with pride as he recounted his battle with the fire - “Embers THIS BIG were hitting me in the back as I was hosing down my roof. 

...It was crazy!” - His expression changed as I could see an intense mix of fear and gratitude start to bring tears to his eyes. 

I hugged him - totally out of character for me.  It just happened.  I'm glad though - my normal character wasn't what the situation needed.

We talked for a bit more as I kept asking questions like a little kid talking to a super hero.

I share this because this interaction wasn’t about me offering resources (even though I did).  It’s true, if we measured net worth, this couple would likely blow me out of the water, BUT, as cliche as it sounds, it’s the thought that counts.  Who knows how long it had been since he talked to someone.  He was basically hiding out in his home knowing that if he set foot on the street above he wouldn’t be allowed to return. 

This guy came to life when we talked - I am 100% sure it was good for his spirit (and his soul) to know that someone was making the effort to get to him just to ASK "Are you okay?"  Even if the answer is yes.  It’s connection.  It’s being human.  It’s compassion and making the effort to let someone know that their recent trauma is seen and it matters.

When someone is belittling your heart lead actions, my experience is that they are revealing more about themselves than observing anything about you.  Maybe its their internal battle with the spirit of fear, maybe it’s a bit of comparison or a judgement that they are being secretly judged for NOT helping out and they want to protect their narrative that, "there’s nothing anyone can do."  I’m sure it’s a case by case, but here’s my encouragement to you.  It's not an attack that needs to be defended against, it’s not really anything you’re obligated to worry about at all.

Here’s what I mean. Even in wealthier communities, disasters can leave people disoriented, displaced, and emotionally strained, particularly children. Short-term support like gift cards or toys can provide immediate comfort and meet practical needs, especially for families who might not have access to their usual resources due to the disaster.

You’re not being foolish—your instinct to offer care and comfort in a time of crisis reflects compassion and generosity. While some might see it as unnecessary because of the perceived wealth of the community, disasters affect people in ways that money can’t always fix.

Gift cards, toys, and other small gestures can make a huge difference by providing normalcy, especially for kids, or taking a bit of stress off families focused on rebuilding their lives. Even in affluent areas, not everyone has immediate access to funds or the mental bandwidth to shop for essentials after a disaster.

Your act of kindness, no matter how small, isn’t just about meeting a practical need; it’s about reminding them they are seen, valued, and not alone. In a moment of loss, the human connection you offer can be just as powerful as the material aid itself.

The truth is you are doing something AMAZING - By focusing on gift cards and toys, you’re addressing the human side of recovery—the need for dignity, comfort, and normalcy. Even if some people don’t need financial help, these small, thoughtful gestures can restore hope and remind them they’re not alone.

Compassion isn’t about calculating who most needs kindness—it’s about seeing pain and choosing to care. When you feel the pull to help someone, even if others dismiss it as unnecessary, remember that love is never wasted. A person who has lost their home—whether they lived in a mansion or a modest apartment—has lost a sense of safety, familiarity, and comfort. Your act of kindness, no matter how small, isn’t just about meeting a practical need; it’s about reminding them they are seen, valued, and not alone. In a moment of loss, the human connection you offer can be just as powerful as the material aid itself.

Criticism will come. People will say, They have insurance, they’ll be fine, or Why help them when others have less? But if God has stirred your heart to help, trust that He has a purpose for it. Your obedience to that nudge might be the very thing that restores someone’s faith in humanity, or even in God Himself. Keep showing up, keep giving, and keep loving—even when it doesn’t make sense to the world. Because love that defies logic is often the love that heals the deepest wounds.

but rest assured—love always leaves a mark.

Jesus never hesitated to meet people in their pain, regardless of their status or situation, and He calls us to do the same.  Choosing to love freely is a powerful, countercultural act. So keep listening to that quiet nudge, keep showing up, and keep being a tangible expression of God’s heart. You may never fully see the impact of your kindness, but rest assured—love always leaves a mark.