Last night, my 2-year-old daughter had a solemn look on her face. I asked her why, and her elder sister volunteered an answer. "Papa, Rachel saw a boy on a wheelchair on the TV. She is sad", said Deborah.
It was a humbling moment for me. How often have we seen less privileged compatriots and turned a blind eye to their plight? I have seen a blind man selling tissue paper and sweets outside Funan Centre, an old man playing the harmonica outside Tampines MRT station, a woman in a wheelchair selling tissue paper somewhere in Tampines Central. Countless times. Yet, I have not made a single purchase or donation. What's wrong with buying from them or giving them a donation? It may be a little, Christ may not be verbally preached in the process, but it is compassion in action, not words, that the Bible teaches us. Compassion doesn't look too far beyond the surface. When Jesus showed compassion, he didn't ask what caused them to be in the present state. Not like the folks who asked Jesus whether the parents of a blind man had sinned, resulting in his being born blind (John 9:2). Sometimes, we tend to be self-righteous and judgmental in deciding who should benefit from our compassion. It was a wake-up call for me.
I looked at Rachel and told her "it's ok, Rachel. Remember when you were sick? What did Papa do? I prayed for you, right? So, you can also pray for the kok-kor (brother) in the wheelchair. Pray that God will make his legs strong so that he can walk, ok?"
May God bless you as you read these notes.
Category: cf_tht
No comments:
Post a Comment