I was walking along the sidewalk in a local strip shopping center last week, on my way to the music story to buy some guitar strings. About halfway down, I came upon a young man kneeling on a prayer rug in front of his shop, facing east and bowing as he recited his prayers.
He wasn't blocking the sidewalk and I would have passed by him at a distance of about three feet, but strong within me is a sense that if you're walking and a prayer is being said, you stop until the prayer is finished. So I stood there until he finished.
He rolled up his rug, stood up and said, "Thank you, my brother."
And I said, "God bless you."
I am not recounting this vignette to emphasize my spirituality or tolerance or goodness as a person because God knows I am lacking in all three areas. Rather, I have been taught to respect other people and their beliefs and practices even though they may be different from my own. It was a telling moment, and an indication that the world has indeed come to us.
Yes.The fact that respect and common courtesy are not so common anymore makes this all the more striking. I am sure that it was appreciated; of such small things are bridges made.
ReplyDeleteYou are the best, Dan.
ReplyDeleteThis is lovely. :)
ReplyDelete