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| PHOTO; FREEPIK |
A female friend of mine was telling me yesterday how Eldoret once gave her proper, certified character development before she had to return to our hometown. Her father came through for her when Eldoret was taking a toll on her.
“Even though he was acting in the role of my father, he didn't realize how much he was aiding me.”
That line of, “he didn’t realize how much he was aiding me. Even though he was acting in the role of my father, he didn't realize how much he was aiding me.” Got me thinking.
How often have you received assistance or been saved without even realizing it? Perhaps you told them. Perhaps you didn't, thinking it would be irrelevant. You are aware that, due to timing, 2,000 Shillings are worth 2,000,000 Shillings?
However, there was another thing that made me stop and consider it. Sometimes individuals provide us with a lot of support—morally, socially, spiritually, and financially—but we are too forgetful, entitled, or accustomed to them to even stop and acknowledge it.
I stated on my Twitter following our conversation with the woman:
“We may pay too much attention to our wounds and neglect our strengths.”
CulturedPaws, a poet buddy, responded with a quip:
“We get too comfortable with our demons; we forget our angels.”
Trust a poet to get her words, right.
We give the devils in our lives too much time and space, I began to reflect. Our pride, dignity, humanity, grace, gratitude, love, caring, and selflessness are all taken away by demons. They sap all of our humanity, as well as our sense of worth and self-worth. They sometimes irreparably harm our spirits.
Though we rarely consider them, angels restore everything that demons take from us. Human nature dictates that we hardly ever even appreciate the kindness, elegance, and dignity they strive to return to us.
Indulge me
I was reflecting on the past year and the character development and training it has provided for me. On average, three or four people hurt me. Not incorrect or anything obnoxious. The same old, same old awful garbage. And for a while, I thought about them and what they did (some of it was heartbreaking enough to make you cry on a bright Thursday afternoon), and frequently, whatever they did sap my joy.
But yesterday, following our conversation, I began to consider others who had assisted and tipped the scales. I can think of up to 20 people who went above and beyond to assist me, not only financially but also socially and emotionally, through friendship and humor, excellent company, and positive energy. I'm referring to assistance that goes above and beyond what I could expect of them. Because I'm not always the best friend anyone could have, I didn't even deserve the majority of the assistance.
However, these individuals— let's call them angels—oftentimes extended enormous favors without being asked, occasionally upon request, and other times wholly without merit. Some of which I did not deserve. They restored my dignity, consoled me after a setback, and helped me retain my humanity when others were attempting to strip it away. They surrounded me like an army and stood by me to protect me from all the weapons. I am certain that God was speaking to me via them.
But man, what did I do? I focused on the three or four people we can refer to as "demons". I must be absolutely clear that when I refer to them as devils, I don't mean that in the most negative sense. Just metaphorical. I am aware that some men will read this and think, "Look at this big-headed hypocrite." However, I'm confident that whenever I've appeared as a demon, angels have cheered them up.
If you stop to think about it, sometimes the buddies you take for granted are the ones who rescue your ass. Not always the friends your phone frequently, hang out with or even exchange the finest memes with but the friends who have that Sh 2000 when you need it the most. I don't want to imply that just friends who significantly assist us can be considered angels or that all friends should be considered financially.
But even life-saving information, a helping hand, a roof over our heads, spiritual sustenance, etc., occasionally comes from the unlikeliest of sources, and when such sources do their jobs, we give a brief "Thank You" and move on.
We frequently overlook other people's positive traits and focus more on their negative traits. It's a psychological issue. Always, the good will look after itself. Humans are hardwired to recognize danger and undesirable situations and attempt to avoid them. That is how humans have managed to stay secure if you believe in evolution.
However, if you believe what the Bible says about the devil, he always wants us to concentrate on the bad. Continuously. He wants to put the spotlight on those who despise us, mistreat us, and harm us. The devil steals all of our time. for us to forget the love that God sends our way.
While God's beauty and love are all around us, we are drowning in so much negativity that we are unable to experience them.
When I consider all the blessings of friendship, love, humor, dignity, vibrations, and support (moral, mental, financial, and social), they always outweigh whatever transient issues I may face on any given day.And thus concludes today's sermon. Try to think in the opposite direction this year as you consider everyone who has done you wrong, every circumstance you were powerless to change, every love you have lost, and every opportunity that slipped through your fingers. Consider those who have treated you right, the circumstances you were able to control, the love you have gained, and the opportunities that have come your way.
Further, make this a lifelong routine.
Never forget that no matter what demons you face, God's love and His angels will always outweigh and vanquish them. Not a pep talk, here. Whether you believe in God or not, the benefits of life always outweigh the drawbacks by a wide margin. It only requires a grateful heart to be aware.
Keep up the wonderful work, all the angels. Share what little you have with those who don't have it, promote love and joy, and make time for friends. You are unaware that the Sh 500 you sent carelessly saved a life. Anybody can be an angel to someone else.
End of the sermon; for information on sadaka, see the last sentence above.
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