... for theirs is the kingdom of heaven - Matthew 5:3
His dimunitive frame scarcely helps in making his presence felt amongst the streaming working class folks making their way home each evening. If you are among the swarms of human fishes that zip by this way and that on the walkway each day, you will not notice him unless you happen to do a "ke-blakang or ke-kannan du rus" (Malay for left or right turn of your head, depending on which direction you are coming from), and at the precise spot where he stands. Yet, without fail, I tell you, he would quietly stand on the same spot, swaying from side to side, earning his living each day selling packets of tissue paper.
He doesn't scream at the top of his lungs like the younger hawkers some distance away selling fruits or roasted chestnuts. He doesn't have an attractive store front like the newspaper & magazine kiosk 30 meters to his left, planted right at the front of a busy bus-stop, or a chair to sit on when his legs are tired. Just a pair of little white track shoes for a little old man to give comfort to the legs which bear the brunt of his chosen vocation. Perhaps he does utter something to hawk his wares, but being deaf, I can hardly hear anything from him, above the roar of the heavy traffic.
So here he is, his petite hunch-back frame planted at the side of this busy walkway outside the Bedok MRT station, making a quiet, unglamorous living, unlike some of his talented, better-looking, and younger peers who can sing or play a musical instrument. When I finally summoned enough courage to approach him, I found him to be a soft-spoken man with a high-pitch voice. I asked him how much is he selling the tissue paper for, & he said "wu(3) mao(2)" (Mandarin for 50 cents). He did not try to sell me more, but I bought 2 packs anyway.
I don't know how to get to know him better, but I certainly feel something for him & I will try to befriend him. Perhaps it's because I am handicapped as well, and I can understand how it feels to try to make a living in this world that prides itself on the best and creme de la creme. The handicapped, old, and unattractive are prime candidates for disqualification in this world, & if you are all three, most people don't have time for you.
But the good news is that:
God & his people has time for the disqualified candidates & rejects of this world
Join me in prayer for this old man. I personally believe his is the kingdom of heaven, and if he doesn't know Jesus, how can he unless someone tells him? Even if he does know Jesus, I would still want to be a friend to him if he's open.
In the mean time, if you have $1 to spare, why not save it and buy some tissues from him one day? You will make his day.
Tissues, anyone?
God bless you,
Thomas
Category: cf_tht, sounding board
2 comments:
It's true that we are asked to love people through our actions and not just tell them 'God bless you.' but i do wonder what kind of life the person i'm buying tissue from is like. i've encountered several we have maids or they buy burger king for their children. the fast food is bought not once in a blue moon but quite often. it's often causes a war within me cos we are also told to be as gentle as a dove and as shrewd as a snake. hmm... just food for thought...
Hi Emay,
Jesus washed the feet of Judas. God causes the sun to rise on the good and the evil. If we love people with the love of God, it's the same unconditional love, whether they are deserving or not. Afterall, I am spending God's money. He will put it to good use, I'm sure :)
God bless & thanks for reading & writing,
Thomas
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