Sufficient grace for this very day

Life is like that. Sometimes things do not go as planned. Sometimes we are running behind and we let ourselves down. Sometimes all we can do is breath a prayer, not even aware that we are praying. And then it begins. The unfolding of grace for this day’s challenges. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Life is like that. Sometimes things do not go as planned. Sometimes we are running behind and we let ourselves down. Sometimes all we can do is breath a prayer, not even aware that we are praying. And then it begins. The unfolding of grace for this day’s challenges.
  • And what is best of all? It usually comes from strangers. People we do not owe anything or who do not owe us anything. That’s how you know it is grace. These people have no reason to help you. But they do anyway.
  • Why? Because they are open to be a channel of blessing, even if they are not aware of it. Knowing how powerful that is.

It’s an ordinary morning. I have a flight to catch in a few hours, and am running late plus the online check-in seems to be hanging on me.

I check out of the hotel, and ask for a cab to take me to the train station. “It will be here in five to 10 minutes,” the receptionist informs me. The taxi gets there half an hour later. Thankfully, the online check-in finally worked.  I’m already feeling frazzled as I get into the taxi.

The taxi driver turns back and hits me with a 10 mega watt smile. “How are you ma’am!” he says and apologises for being late. He blames the traffic. I decide to forgive him. After-all, he could have been late and shown up with a bad attitude. We strike up some chit-chat. He answers my questions laughing, and hits the steering wheel with exclamations of “yo-yo-yo!”

He is such a happy man and his joy is infectious. The Kenyan that I am, I ask about the political situation in his country. He gets very sombre and says, “Ai-ai! This Jayzee, man! He’s in a lot of trrrouble!” I’m confused. Is he talking about Beyonce’s husband? “The people, they want him out, neh!”

I finally get it! Jayzee must be Jacob Zuma’s nickname. Quite nice, I think, wondering what Uhuru’s would be. ‘Uhunye’ as I have heard a few youngsters refer to him, is not quite as glamorous. I remark that he must enjoy his job.

HELPFUL STRANGERS

Happy bunny that he is, he laughs out loud. Then he hits the steering wheel again. “I do this all day! I have to like it! I don’t have any strrress!” he roars.  The short ride to the train station is over.

As far as taxi drivers go, he is now my favourite. Too bad, I didn’t ask his name.

I do have a lot on my mind and two bulging suitcases to lug about. It’s hard to multitask, manouvering my luggage and comprehending the directions to the train platform. Right then, a young man approaches. I ask for the way to the platform, thinking what a country-bumpkin I must seem.

He is helpful enough, points me in the direction and then offers to carry one of my suitcases. The heaviest. Is it just me, or is heaven smiling down on me today? He is catching a flight to Maputo, and we exchange some chit-chat on the train.

Getting friendly with absolute strangers is one of those really African things I do that embarrasses my children no end. Always the journalist, by the time we are parting at the terminal at the airport, I know his occupation and how many children he has. For a morning that begun quite badly, this one is turning out really well. Now, all the pilot has to do is not crash the plane, and I will reckon this to be one of my great days this year.

When that day ends, I look back, mining the lessons. I finally find one. Grace sufficient for this day. I remember feeling overwhelmed that morning and breathing the prayer, “Oh God, please help me.” And He answered. With grace to get through what I needed. Totally undeserved but help was sent anyway. Help came, not as I expected, but from random strangers I am unlikely to meet again. 

Life is like that. Sometimes things do not go as planned. Sometimes we are running behind and we let ourselves down. Sometimes all we can do is breath a prayer, not even aware that we are praying. And then it begins. The unfolding of grace for this day’s challenges.

And what is best of all? It usually comes from strangers. People we do not owe anything or who do not owe us anything. That’s how you know it is grace. These people have no reason to help you. But they do anyway.

Why? Because they are open to be a channel of blessing, even if they are not aware of it. Knowing how powerful that is, my new prayer is, “Make me a channel of your blessing.” For I have received much grace.