Friday, August 29, 2008

The Good Samaritan Story Retold




I was on my own by a T-Way junction ready to drive to the road home. Please see picture for explanations. (Concept culled from Archiwiz. How do I hyperlink the name to the blog?). I was reflecting on how smart I had been to take the short-cuts and escape the Woji hold-up. All of a sudden, I heard a loud BANG! I was dazed for 3 minutes and saw one of my fore-father’s faces. When I regained consciousness, I realized I had been hit by a car. A taxi driver was reversing carelessly and smashed the right side of my car. From the picture above, please tell me who is wrong?

The rain was falling heavily. It was a cold, stormy evening. I came out of the car with my skimpy clothes and children-sized umbrella. I accessed the damage. Not too bad, but I had just spent some good money fixing some damages I had caused for the car. I was not ready to spend another kobo panel-beating and spraying. I raked, shouted, insulted and cursed the driver. People came to beg me. The more they said, “Madam, calm down”, the more my anger built. Driver offered me N500 to fix my car. That was the height! I seized his car keys. This led to another 15 minutes of begging of which I went deaf to his pleas. I told the guy I cannot forgive and forget. I told him I will return his car keys after he has fixed my car.

I heard that gentle voice ask, “If it was Jesus, what will he do in this situation?” and I quickly replied, “This is not the time for the question.”

1 Week later, I was heading back to the office from lunch, so much in a hurry that as I was reversing, I jammed our neighbor’s car. At the exact same area taxi driver hit me. Neighbor’s car was on its own and neighbor was in the office probably thinking other thoughts. He had been looking for ways to repair the car or buy a new one. I said to myself, “I don enter. My money will finish in fixing and spraying another man’s moto.”

I called neighbor and reported myself. He laughed and said I should not worry until he sees the damage. Later that day, he told me not to worry that he will take care of the damage.

Between me and neighbor, who is speaking Christianity? Me, who wanted to kill poor taxi driver for the small damage or him, who forgave me of the great damage I did to his car?

It is our duty to preach the Good News with our actions as much as our words. It is not about how many times we attend service, how many offices we hold in church, or how much of the scripture we can quote. A hungry man will most likely give his life to Christ if he is given food rather than words.

I learnt from that experience, especially to answer the question “What will Jesus do in this situation?” I know He will always show love and take appropriate actions.



Remain blessed.

16 comments:

The Activist said...

I remember how my husband and I will ask each other when we are play-fighting and we want one person to give up that what will Jesus do?

Hmmmm of course Jesus wil lever be considerate, understanding and loving no matter the situation. That's why He's the King

Rita said...

LOL... so who usually gives up in the play-fight?

Unknown said...

Lovely post and so true.

The Activist said...

Ah that depends oooooooooooooo. He usually does when I bring out a nknife cos he has got black belt in Taekwando

Rita said...

@Naijalines: Thanks. And I am still owing you an explanation for my comment on your post :-)

@Standtall: LOL. Black belt in Taekwando? If it's me, I won't try any rough play...

Afrobabe said...

wow, at least u turned it into a learning experience and that is all that matters...

standtall...u remind me of Delilah...that must have been how she felt when she play fought with Samson...lmao...

Marian said...

what a lovely blog dear and thank you for sharing your experience. It reminds me of the bible story of the man who was forgiven for owing loads of cash but could not forgive someone for a few coins.Very inspiring.

Rita said...

@ Afrobabe: Yeah, but I don't want to go through that again to learn a lesson.
LOL @ your comment to Standtall. You have a great sense of humour.

Thanks for dropping by my blogs.

@The House of Style: Thanks for your comment about my blog. The bible story you mentioned is even more appropriate to summarize this story. Thanks for opening my eyes to it.

aloted said...

Hmm i am so learning from this ur experience o..

WWJD- what will Jesus do???

Rita said...

@ Aloted: Where and how have you been?!? It seemed like the world was missing a purpose driven woman...

aloted said...

Aww thanks for checking up on me...:)Appreciate!

I was on holiday with ma husby...will blog about it this week... :)

Hope u good??

Rita said...

Welcome back then...

Am good. Looking forward to your post...

Azuka said...

Nice lesson learned. Poor taxi driver, but then again as a PH guy I know how bad those drivers can be.

aloted said...

I don update o..earlier that you thought, right :)

princesa said...

This reminds me of that story in the bible where a man forgave his servant some huge sum of money and he in turn threw another poor man in jail cos of some small money.

It's good to show love and kindness but human nature can come between that at times.

Well, we'll only keep trying.

Rita said...

@ Azuka: The taxi driver was so so wrong! But unlike the normal PH taxi drivers, he did not run away...

@ Aloted: Did you unpack finish before updating?

@Princesa: It's God that will help us...