On a train going south on business
For what seemed an eternity,
I chanced upon a memorable man
Who changed the path of my destiny
He was itinerant to look at
With tatty coat and shabby shoes,
An unshaven face, his hair unkempt
And string, as a belt on his ‘trews’
He boarded the train, peoples heads dropped
For fear that his gaze they’d meet
He walked down the aisle, disappointed,
As no-one would give up a seat
I offered the seat beside me
He thanked me for making the space
I replied with a sincere ‘you’re welcome’
And a smile warmed his weathered face
He asked me about my journey
And I asked of his in return
I felt in my heart, that by talking to him
There was much about life I could learn
I bought us both refreshments
As he told of his life’s history,
Once in a while I would interject
With a small anecdote about me
Behind the shabby persona,
Was a man of intelligent mind
He’d lived on the edge in finance,
Made his fortune, left it behind
As his bank account grew he’d lost everything
His family, his friends, his wife
He’d found out, too late, and at great cost
That there was so much more to life
‘You have to stop and smell the roses,
Make some time for those you hold dear’
And as he spoke, down his rugged cheek
I saw the track of a small, salty tear
As we reached the end of our journey
He clasped my hand at our time to part,
He thanked me for my company
And told me I had a good heart
When I got to my lonely hotel room,
I called my daughters on the phone
And told them ‘we’ll be together soon
I’m taking some time off when I get home.’
Sometimes it takes a chance meeting
To give your whole life a shake
I felt I had met my ‘Hermes’
And now had decisions to make
When I got home, I made a decision
The missed years with my girls I’d amend,
My life took a different direction
All down to my indigent friend
You can’t judge a man on appearance
But if you look in their eyes you can,
I knew in the instant I gave up the seat
I had met a remarkable man.
I took time to smell the roses today and was disappointed they had no scent (? was it me? or the flower? I don't know..lol). Even if you don't see immediate impact (or outcome you're expecting) from taking time to care about others doesn't mean you shouldn't do it. You never the greater plan God has for you and the other person. Its always best to do the right thing. Take time to make your life count. Sometimes its the littlest things that have the greatest impact. Love God, Love others...its as simple and complex as that. Have a blessed day!
It is so important to take the time to smell the roses. Why do I find it so hard to do? God's creation recharges me. When I get away from concrete, asphalt and congestion and into the woods I can actually feel lighter and lifted. God seems more real to me when I am in His created splendor than anywhere else. Oh, I know full well he is real to me everywhere and at all times. Yet, walking in His garden seems different.
ReplyDeleteWhy do we find it so hard to take a recess from our duties and allow ourselves to drink in of His pleasure by simply smelling the roses?