Click-click-click
It's the familiar tapping sound that draws me away from my
creamy fettuccine alfredo and my regular writing routine. I
glance up to see him, the man who is, to me, without a
name. He comes here every day for his lunch, and would
blend in with the crowd as everyone else does but for one
thing. This man is blind.
As he made his way out of the dining area today, he
approached my table, meticulously checking the floor below
with his walking stick. As he came carefully toward my
table, my solitude was interrupted as my fork was suspended
mid air, creamy white sauce threatening to drop anywhere it
pleased. Not at all angry, only curious, I lifted my eyes
in time for my attention to be fully captured.
During the brief, ensuing moments I heard this man speak as
to a diary, "like a leper to my fellow citizens." There was
more to his soul baring sentence, of course, but as he
shuffled away, it was lost in the cosmos of those very
citizens. My heart went out to this man and I wanted to run
after him. I wanted to assure him he was more than a leper
to society. My conviction, however, paralyzed me.
Hadn't I sat here, with that same judgement and disdain
many times before? Was I not one of those very creatures he
spoke of in his polite reference to his fellow citizens?
I wish I could say I got up, offered the man a seat at my
table and a cup of coffee. I didn't though, I watched him
make his way slowly to the door. I know I'll probably see
him in this place again, but I'm today had this ending. As
I finished my significantly cooler fettuccine, which is not
at all memorable in quality, I know this lunch will,
however, be suspended in the front of my memory for time
time to come.
If I had caught up with this man, I would remember and see
only my self-righteousness. I may relate the stories to
others to gain credence and praises for myself. However,
this is not the way it was intended. God allowed me to
leave that meal with a better idea and deeper image of our
society. I was equipped with a short study of the way we
all, even I, treat others around us.
It is through these freshly opened eyes that I may see
others as God does. It becomes an utmost priority to
refrain from judging by skin color, dress, mannerisms, or
physical traits. Only in this way am I able to look at
people and see a heart that is breakable, a soul that is
searching and a child to be saved.
© Copyright 2002 Hearts Desire. All rights reserved.
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