Be kind, be patient, be gentle, pay attention to others…

It was the day before New Year’s eve. We had quickly pulled into a side store to grab some plantain. Yes I love plantain, fried or boiled or baked. I noticed that there was an old man standing outside the store; he must have been almost eighty. He kept opening the door for those who approached the door to enter the store. He never missed a beat. he was very agile for his age. He was attentive to the people, but the people were not attentive to him. No ‘thank you’; no ‘I appreciate you’, most times, not even a glance.

I watched as people approached the door with an expectation that he would open the door anyway. Both young and old. Parents with their children. Maybe this old man had nothing better to do; maybe he was a bum; maybe a loser. Maybe a paid hand to open the door. Another thing, the people were engrossed in their lives. They were consumed by their readiness to prepare for the New Year. They were enthralled with piling their cars with cans of beer; too busy to notice him. I watched as my husband was about to step out of the store, this man jumped to open that door for him. I could not stop the tears that rolled down my cheek as he almost lost balance. My husband gave him some money. Not for anything, but because we appreciate him. And we refuse to look past. We chose to see everyone!

I know it is the culture we live in today. I know we are always very busy. I know our to do list is very packed and we have time for nothing else but ourselves and those who mean something to us. I know our children have soccer and ballet practice. I know all this. Are we so powerless that we can’t change what is wrong with our culture? Are we so powerless that we can’t change what gives people the impression that they are less, overlooked and do not matter? Does it break our heart to watch an eighty year old man almost break his neck because he has to open the door for us! No thank you. No acknowledgement!

We are in a new year. 2017! What great opportunities God will give us this year! What great opportunities God will give us to pay attention. Yes, to open the door for someone, rather than the door being opened for us. What great opportunity God will give us to be kind, gentle, caring, loving, offer a helping hand.

Life can take charge of us, or we can take charge of life with the help of God. If we take the latter, then we will not only live a rich and fuller life, but we will be a blessing to many others as well. I pray that you choose the latter.

Linda Faith

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Linda faith is the Editor in Chief of Jewels Magazine. She co-pastors along with her husband Revival Worship Church, Tampa. She is a prolific writer and powerful speaker, inspiring many women to be all God has called them to be. She is the founder of Joy Women’s conference which reaches out to empower, inspire and motivate women in their faith walk. She was a software developer before she started writing.