Thoughts for another day

Dec. 3, 2007

Today's verse: Prov. 23:22. Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Today’s message may not be particularly for you, but for those who view their old parents as just a headache.

Some month’s ago, whilst in the chapel, I saw an elderly woman looking forlorn and weeping. I am usually not disturbed by this for I need to be in prayer and ignore it, as I ignore people talking there. Besides, it could also be the Spirit’s Grace. But try as I might, I couldn’t shift my gaze from her. I could sense that she was in pain and started telling the Lord about her and how she looked sad. I decided that if she were there till I was, then I would talk to her. As it happened, she remained in prayer till I did and as I got ready to leave, she too began leaving.

Once outside, I politely asked her if she had a problem. She looked me up and down and then, the dam burst. I held her hand and gently guided her to a chair. She sat and after re-gaining composure, told her story. She had a daughter. Her husband had passed away. The daughter was married and staying with her. For a while things looked good. But gradually, her son in law, a good for nothing wastrel, started abusing and beating her, while her daughter said nothing. When the lady pointed it out to her, she snapped and said she deserved it!

Within no time, she, a graceful lady, was reduced to a mere servant in her own house. When the children came, she became a nanny and even if there was a slight problem, she would be blamed and beaten. She had cried before everyone telling them her story but no one helped her. Many, were the nights, she told me, she slept having cried.

The children were now 10 and 8 years. Today, she told me, was the worst day in her life. The boy of 10, her grandson told her, ‘Nana why don’t you just die?’ This was because, his friend had come home and seeing her torn dress, ridiculed him! When I looked into her tear stained eyes, I just couldn’t help but cry inside with her. I took her with me and we had a cup of tea. I tried encouraging her the best I could and then gently led her outside the restaurant and saying goodnight, left her to go her way.

Moving toward my bike, I started thinking… how would she take her feet toward what was her home? She had skipped her work and had come to the chapel to pray, what would she face when she returned? So many questions floated in my mind. The above verse rang in my ears. To be honest, I just couldn’t start my bike to go home but what to do? My prayer for her intensified and I told the Lord to please please take care of her for none could or would help, except Him. My return home was miserable. Even while sleeping, my mind floated with thoughts about her.