Reaching out

Since my last post, God has shown himself to be faithful once again. I know he is with us in every situation. So on to my next thought.

I was in the mall one weekend ago waiting for my husband to meet me. Being pregnant I decided to go to an area where I could find a place to sit. I noticed an area where both sides were full of people except for one little spot. Although I could have sat in that space, I opted not to because of would be sitting next to me.


There was an older man maybe in his late 60's or early 70's doing a Soduko puzzle. He had on an old winter hat, a jean jacket and carried a bag full of papers. He looked unkempt and dirty. I reasoned in my head that I didn't want to sit next to someone like that so I stood around waiting. Eventually the man got up and left and someone filled the seat. Other seats opened up on the opposite side of the this seating area so I eventually sat down.


While I sat there I watched the many people pass me by. Everyone so different. Some male, some female, some tall, some short, some well dressed, some not, some able bodied and some in wheel chairs. It was an interesting time of observation and reflection. I thought about the passions in my heart. The burden I feel to help the poor and needy and then I thought back to my original observations of this older man. I didn't want to sit next to him because he appeared poor and needy. Aren't these the very people I want to help? How will I ever help them if I can't get past the stigma that surrounds the poor?


Do you know that after a little while that man came back and guess where he sat, right next to me! I had to smile within myself. Of course that would happen. I watched as he did his Soduku puzzle and went back and forth in my mind and heart as to whether to acknowledge this man or not. After all I love Soduku so clearly we have something in common. There was a well dressed, younger lady who sat on the other side of me and from overhearing her conversation I got that she was from Toronto. Again another similarity. Of course I felt that it would be easier and even seem more 'normal' to talk to her about our similarity just to strike up conversation.


It's amazing how much we have in common with people who we don't even know and particularly those who seem less fortunate. I never did talk to the older man but I wish I did. Who knows if that could have brightened his day, week or even life. I don't know what he's been through in life but it doesn't matter, he's worth talking to simply because he's a person. Today we are so afraid to connect with people because they might be rude, violent, sick, dirty etc. but as challenging as this may be, I want to challenge myself to reach out to those that are not like me and truly treat people equally. It just seems like the right thing to do.

Thanks for reading,

Koliah