FOOD FOR THOUGHT: CARE FOR STRANGERS

We are all strangers on earth, as we were born knowing no one. We grew up to know people one by one, beginning from our mothers to other members of the family and then the rest. That being the case, how we treat strangers is of utmost importance because we were once strangers to whoever we hold dear today, and it is how we treated them that made them key parts of our lives today. Furthermore, that is how we will build our much needed social capital, by being good to strangers.

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Spiritually, by being good to strangers, some have welcomed angels. God uses human beings to bless us, help us, push or direct us to the path he has marked out for us, and to pull us out of pits and troubles. Those human beings often are not familiar persons but total strangers; and by maltreating them some have turned down their blessings or delayed it. Imagine how our lives would have been if we only enjoyed the help of those we already know, when in fact, some of the biggest blessings we have enjoyed have come from strangers.

I know of accident victims who would have died but for the intervention of strangers, some of whom they never got to know, they helped them to hospitals, made sure they got stabilized, contacted their families and went their way. The stories of Abraham, Sussana, the good Samaritan, and Simon of Cyrene have very useful and telling teachings for us. Is that not why we are warmed never to judge a book by its cover? It is never about age, old or young, or about tribe, status, dressing, appearance, neatness, education or any mundane considerations. Sadly, I have met some people who will not support a person simply because he is not of the same ethnic stock as them. How pathetic! The one to help you must not be the one you like, or from your place, often God designs it to be strangers; be careful not to estrange your blessings, be good and care for strangers.

Peace be with you!