India is in the middle of one of the worst humanitarian crises we’ve ever experienced. The second wave of Covid-19 has caught the country and its Government completely by shock. I wrote a post two weeks back wondering what was the remedy for this. Some of you commented that there was only one way out – to show kindness. This got me thinking and asking myself : What would you like to offer the world? This country. The people who are suffering so much.
I sit back and watch so many heroes who are emerging from this story. People who are going above and beyond to serve. Young people putting their lives at risk to reach out with oxygen and medicines to people. Others trying their best to give a respectful funeral to those who have died and have no family members to perform their last rites. A young Muslim girl who went to a crematorium to distribute PPEs to the workers there, was requested to and performed the last rites of an elderly Hindu man, whose family was also Covid positive.
These are stories of hope and humanity in the middle of such tragedy and callousness. It’s a reminder of the importance of community.
We are each other’s harvest; we are each other’s business; we are each other’s magnitude and bond.
Gwendolyn Brooks
What Would You Like To Offer The World?
For those of us, who for various reasons can’t be in the thick of things, there are simple ways we can offer ourselves to the world today. Something as simple as feeding stray animals and birds. Offering someone a cup of tea. Ordering a meal to be delivered to someone. Acknowledging the work of another. Contributing financially. For example, there’s a family I know that’s cooking food and giving it free to families affected by Covid. Another group of people is buying a van to add to the funeral services they are already extending. (Should you like to contribute to this, let me know and I will send you their bank details).
Sometimes all we can do is listen. Sit with the pain of another. Offer them a shoulder to cry on.
Prayers too are important. I’m grateful to my friend, Michele Sommerville and her church for their prayers for our country. Michele pastors a church in East Canton, Ohio and after she read my post, she asked her church to pray.
Today, I want to remind myself of the words of Teresa of Avila, who always knew how to keep things simple.
Remember: if you want to make progress on the path and ascent to the places you have longed for, the most important thing is not to think much but to love much, and so to do whatever best awakens you to love.
This post was written in response to Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday prompt – middle
Image Credits: Photo by cottonbro from Pexels, Unsplash
Such sadness for the people in India and I too have been praying for healing there. Your comment on just bringing someone a meal or appreciating the work that is being done is so needed. A kind word or gesture goes a long way. Thank you for the article. FMF #19
Yeah, it’s cool if you’re a Buddhist
(hey, I used to be one, too!);
no problemo if you’re Baptist…
you’re a Jain? Well, that’ll do.
If you’re Sikh you’re welcome here,
if you’re Catholic, Friday fish,
if you’re Jewish, kosher beer,
if you’re Muslim, pork-free dish.
We are in for heavy weather,
there’s no doubt at all of that,
but if we all will pull together
we’ll get through in nothing flat,
and then stand before the throne of God,
and just this once, He will be awed.
Good points. No help is small. All that we have to do is to understand others and reach out in whatever way we can.
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Sometimes it takes stepping back and observing to see what it is you really want to offer the world. There are so many great things that you can do for people to help them out during these crazy times. This article was greatly written. -Ryan
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