I came to a junction and wondered
Which way to go.
I could go Left and I could go Right
But I couldn’t go Left and Right at once.
I can choose Left and miss all on Right
I can choose Right, not get a taste of Left
But I couldn’t choose Left and Right at once.
I am one, I can only go one way
So I chose Right and realized
That one good turn truly leads to another.
Do you recall last month’s Against All Odds Monthly True Life Story (published November 6, 2015) titled “A Hand”? Well, it happened that the shoe my shoemaker’s friend fixed fell apart the next morning as soon as my feet explored the new job. It wasn’t a big deal, I would return it to him to rework and I would pay for everything. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it that day or the next and after a while, forgot about it. Weeks later, I decided I needed to get that shoe deal sorted out so I went to my shoemaker. He was very busy and couldn’t fix it right away so I dropped it with him and left, to return the next day for collection.
When I returned, he handed over the repaired shoe. I mentioned that I am sorry I couldn’t make it back to pay his friend and he said not to worry, he already paid the man. Was that touching! I asked how much the new job cost and he said not to bother, there was no need to pay him for that. I stood there amazed.
It is easy to do things for people who have the means to pay you back. When you do things for those who appear like they can’t pay back, there are no expectations and no surprises. However, whenever God turns the table on us by using those who don’t appear like they can return our favor, to bless us in least expected ways, the shock is pleasantly dazzling. These people don’t make much. They don’t have much. It is easy for those who have to give. When you don’t have, it is even harder. The fact that I knew his situation and that he could so selflessly go out, not once but twice for me, without my asking, said so much to my melted heart.
As I walked away, I remembered one of my dad’s many counsels. He always insisted that we showed respect and kindness to everyone we meet irrespective of their status in life because every human being is worthy of respect; that respect is reciprocal; and that when you give the little people their little respect, they would cheerfully accord you your mega regard; but when you disrespect little people because you think they are undeserving, they will drag you and your mega respect in the mud, and you will be the one to bear the shame and the loss, not them.
This gentleman and I are from different ethnicities, religion, gender, almost everything you can imagine except that our places of work are not far from the other. Yet, I could tell as he showed me favor, he wasn’t seeing the differences. We are simply two humans that need each other and are glad to go out of our way for one another. It was one good turn that led to another. Can you imagine how different life would be if we could look beyond our differences and treat one another with due regard? That is what Christ would do if He was here. That is what God expects of you and me.
Glory!