As I contemplate over my last week, I was overwhelmed with emotions, homesickness and a disgusted feeling on being disrespected as a human I could feel my energy being drained with the constant negative thoughts and me wanting to rant about everything bad in the situation. While I sobbed like a 10 year old and refused to listen to my roommate about learning to let offenses go away, I decided to ignore all those who disrespected me and keep my head held high with whatever little self respect I assumed I still had left.
While the entire week went into me trying to figure out what exactly went wrong and why were humans treating humans disrespectfully, I made a effort to be courteous to every one I met. So as I headed for Sunday evening church by auto rickshaw (Tuk TuK) , the driver was very fascinated with me going to church and began a conversation of sorts. After being amazed that I am a doctor and spoke to him with no pride or arrogance, he probed into my family history and my faith.
Towards the end of the ride, he seemed enthusiastic and so I invited him to church, while he sat next to me ( socially distant) listening to the service in English, he seemed very content and prayed fervently and even donated some of his earnings into the box. On our journey back, he revealed he prayed for my future marital prospects and a good spouse as I was a good person to him and it was the first time anyone invited him to pray at a church.
As he spoke and told me how he percieved me , I did feel happy but I took it as a sign from God, who I asked for a reassurance after the confusing week I had, waning my faith so low , I could practically see Satan dance with glee!! It just made me happy that one human was touched by my faith and the attitude. He dropped me off at my destination with a line , ” I had heard christians are generous , today I witnessed one first hand!”…
Whoever is not with me is against me,
and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
While Jesus tells the crowd how we should pay heed to His commandments and constant advice, I often find it harder during lenten season, the temptations seem much more enticing and the will power has lost its will!!! But today as a stranger witnessed my act of faith and was touched by it, I did feel a little boost of encouragement to look forward to be with the Lord through my repentance and reconciliation.
This Lent I know it is hard for many of us to keep up and stay rooted in faith but let us boost each other to stick on with our faith, not just by avoiding the meats or junk meals but by making extra effort to pray longer. Taking a moment of silence at the traffic light or lending a helping hand without social media publication or expectation in return.
While I will never forget that man and his words, I will work harder at spreading my faith not through abstinences but from embodying the entire essence of the sacrifice of our Lord!
PRAYER:
My lord, I am here at your feet, in tears and sorrow for unable to forgive or forget the past. help me to make you the centre of my life and focus on being a better human daily and spreading your word through my words and deeds.
AMEN.
