A Blessing!
Posted by sudiptasapna on May 8, 2008
Suman and Silu were two brother and sister who were the only children of there parents. Their Dad worked in a big building in the middle of the City. Mom worked as social worker in the local slums. She used to go their daily after Daddy and Suman, Silu left for their respective office and school. They used to meet as a family only in the evening after Dad returned from the office. Suman and Silu always enjoyed the evenings because both Dad and mom had several stories to share from their workplace.
One evening mom seemed very upset over something. During the family prayer, she prayed for a certain man named Mohan and his family who were struggling due to illness and poverty. After prayer Mom and Dad discussed about the particular family.
Mohan was a truck driver and was the only breadwinner of his family that comprised of his wife Savitri, daughter Rina and two sons named Raju and Jagu. Both the sons were twins. Mohan has suddenly fallen sick because of which the family has run into trouble. Not that they never had any trouble, but now with Mohan out of work, the family was in real trouble. Savitri tried to provide food by working as maid in two three houses, but that was not sufficient. The three children were studying in the local school but now it was difficult to pay their fees. So they were also trying to find work in order to run the family and provide medicines for their sick father who was coughing endlessly. The question was how to help this family?
As Suman lay in bed that night, he was pondering over his good fortune since he did not have to work for a living. Infact he had never tried to understand how his parents provided them food and clothing, books, chocolates, cricket bats, bicycle and many more. He and Silu always had endless list of things, which they wanted for themselves. And here were three children who are struggling to have a proper meal a day. Sleep eluded Suman as he looked at the costly mosquito net that was covering him from the mosquitoes. Perhaps Rina, Raju and Jagu never knew what that comfort was. Across the bedroom, Silu also was thinking the same thing. Perhaps Rina was sitting by her Father’s bed now. Or was she cooking something? Silu never had to cook any thing at home. All she did was to order her Mom. Yes! Life had been very easy for them. They have been fortunate indeed.
The next morning was a government holiday. So Suman and Silu and Daddy were at home. All sat down for the Morning Prayer. The Bible was read and Daddy read from a portion about a sick beggar Lazarus who died without food and proper food. No one took care of him even though there was a rich man living just near by the where Lazarus was lying by the roadside. After the reading they all sang songs asking Lord Jesus to make them a blessing. Suman and Silu were wondering how they could become a blessing for any one?
Mom was setting the table for breakfast as Suman and Silu came down from their room. They had gone up after the prayer and discussed something among themselves. Mom looked fresh and busy as usual, even though it was a holiday. Was she going somewhere? Dad looked up from his newspaper and said, “After breakfast. We are going to visit Mohan’s family. Suman and Silu, are you going to accompany us or stay at home and play video games?”
Other days Suman and Silu had always gone for a picnic to the park with their parents, but today the schedules have been changed. Suman would have said “no” but something within him compelled him to say, “ Daddy, I too would like to come with you both. Well I do not know about Silu…………”
“ I also want to go”, quickly joined Silu.
“Very well then,” smiled mom. “ quickly eat your breakfast and get ready. I wonder what we can take for them?” Mom was murmuring as she went into the kitchen.
Within an hours they reached the small hut where Mohan was lying inside in a broken cot. Savitri was out for work. Rina was trying to make some red tea for her father. Raju and Jagu were helplessly watching Father as he was coughing.
Mom immediately took out some Chapaties, curry, apples and bananas from her bag. She alos ahd brought some sari’s for Savitri.
Suman and Silu also had brought something. Silu brought out a Barbie doll, which she had received as a gift on her last birthday. She also took out chocolates and a brand new tooth paste which presented to her by her aunt from Canada. Silu wanted to give from what she had for Rina.
Suman seemed to be carrying his school bad behind. Out came his not so very old, T shirsts, and bermudas and also a new pair of jeans.
Mom and Dad were surprised so also the residence of that small hut. With tears rolling down Mohan tried to thank the family who looked odd in his shabby home.
While retuning Suman asked, “ Daddy, I know it is not enough what I have tried to give from my belongings. But can’t something be done for them?”
Daddy was smiling while driving the van, “ yes, Son something should be done definitely for them. God has given us enough so that we can share. I am so proud of you both.”
Looking less tensed now Mom said, “ I am so glad that our children have understood that their good disposition are by the grace of God and what they posses should be shared with others who are in need.”
Suddenly silu cried out, “ Daddy, we all tried to give some thing though it is so small before their needs, but what did you do for them?”
Mom said, “ your Dad has promised to take Mohan to a good Doctor who can treat tuberculosis effectively. Rest is in God’s hand. We can wait and pray for them”
As they drove into their garage, Suman was thinking, “ yes we can pray for the family, and meanwhile as God works for them I can go on and be a blessing for them according to my capacity. Perhaps Lazarus the poor beggar needed some one to be blessing to him by giving love and care. Let me not miss the chance like the rich man.
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