All posts by Lemfel

“ . . . Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” – Christ

 I was returning to the Fellowship shop to work after lunch when I noticed a car parked in front of the building. I walked up and asked through the closed window if I could help the young lady sitting inside.

I was met with a very determined look that said, “I’m not going to take any more from anyone!” She began yelling at me about how unfriendly people were and all the trouble she had just because her car was overheating and she had to park somewhere. After what seemed like five minutes of this, she said, “I suppose you’re going to make me leave.”

“No, I was just going to ask if I could help you.”

She calmed down a little and said she needed water and was going to fill her bottle from our hose. “I suppose that is illegal,” she added.

I said, “No, but that’s a pretty small bottle. Why don’t you let me fill a gallon jug with water, and then you’ll have less trouble?”

By this time, she seemed to understand that no one at the Fellowship wanted to add to her troubles. I brought out the gallon of water and she wanted to pay for it. I told her there was no need, and to her insistence that she make a donation, I replied that would not be necessary. And I explained that we are a school of philosophy based on the teachings of Christ.

She found it hard to believe that we didn’t expect money in return, which I can understand in this day and age. Then I told her I needed to get to work in the shop and she said she was leaving. I reminded her to drive carefully because of the rain, and went inside.

As I worked, I was aware our visitor hadn’t left. In a few minutes, the door opened and in walked the young lady carrying two sticks of incense. One was lit and smelled pretty good! She told me she made these and had a small business selling them. She wanted me to have them for my kindness and would have liked to give me a hug, but Covid19 got in the way of that.

What a pleasant person my new friend turned out to be! Imagine if I had allowed a first impression to sway me into thinking otherwise?