I was sitting in the train today, worrying about this and that, when the door opened and a man wheeled himself inside. For a moment he just kept looking from side to side up at the people's faces. His face was a sight to behold. He was dressed all in smiles. This man had no legs and he was actually sitting there on his wheelchair smiling up at our gloomy faces. These gloomy faces belonged to people who had what he didn't.
Often we think our problems are the greatest in the world, but things could really be worse.
I smiled back at him and I was really touched. He really made my day by sharing his smile with me. I started wondering how he came to be like this. I wondered if he had once tasted the beauty of walking and then lost it, how many dreams he'd had to give up along the way, whether he doesn't even know how it feels to walk at all, how much pain he'd had to go through, how many operations and how he came to be so at peace inside a body that had let him down. It was just amazing. We are so lucky to be able to walk, to run, to play our favourite games, to climb up stairs and so much more. There are people out there who have no legs, like this man. Some do have legs that they can't even use, some have legs and no feet, some have crippled feet or feet without toes. Some people have no arms, they can't run up to their loved ones to give them a hug, some have disformed faces and would give anything to be able to smile, and some of us are running around not knowing how very lucky we are to have everything in it's place.
It's moments like this, that I really thank God for the blessings in my life. We sometimes become so caught up in life that we walk without even noticing our legs. We take our body parts for granted and then there's a man out there who thanks God for the body parts that he still has left and for the fact that he can still smile.
suppagrace@hotmail.com
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Dear Grace, A few years ago I took the train out of town to visit my son who was living in a state mental hospital. It was Christmas day, and I took this large box with me, and chose to sit with it in the lower car. There were many people in this lower car that were in wheel chairs. One man and I carried on quite a lengthy conversation about where I was going. It was quite a strain for this man to speak, because of his physical challenges. Yet, this man began encouraging me, and making happy conversation about how my son was very blessed that I was coming to visit him. I learned a lot more about love that day on the train. Also, I wrote up that special Christmas day in Haiku's - that I may just post on faithwriters. Yes, I think I will. It will be called "The Christmas Train"
Thank you for reminding us how to stop and truly see the love and blessings God gives us, and how we can encourage each other.
Blessings are yours...
This is a beautiful example of someone who blesses others with a smile. He had no legs, but he was happy. It won't hurt any of us to give away a genuine smile to others. It just might bless someone as you were blessed. Thanks for sharing. Thomas
