A New Day

The other day when walking home from work in India, I stopped to say hi to a grandmother and her daughter it appeared, who were in mourning of sorts on the side of the road. We would call them street people in the US, but here they are called the "outcasts".  In my eyes they are in need, period. If I have something I give, if not then I still say hi and listen as they try to tell me their problems as best that I can without really understanding what they are saying.

This particular day I did have some money that I shared and I hugged the grandmother as she cried in my arms and kissed my feet. The mother was bent on telling me something though, so we continued walking down the street as she followed me talking away. As I nodded and tried to understand I was met with another lady coming up the street that asked me if I understood them, as they were hanging onto me and talking. I said not really. She asked me why I put up with them then? I looked at her without understanding and she then yelled at the younger lady to shut up! I was shocked and I guess my face showed it, because within a few seconds the lady left, and I felt compelled for their safety to say goodbye to them as others were looking on as well.

As I walked down the rest of the street to our house I heard explosions representing the Hindu religion  warding off evil spirits or something. I am still not sure of why there are all of these explosions, but they seem to happen on a regular basis and this is what I am told.

Upon my arrival at our house I shared my walk home with my husband and he explained the caste system to me and why no one of my status, being "White American", would dare be seen interacting with the "untouchables". Of course my husband knows me well enough to know that would never stop me and he felt sorry for the lady who was trying to "protect me" from these people as she passed.

This experience caused my husband to reflect and share Jesus's similar experiences with the woman at the well and others that were "untouchables" in his time and the reaction of the "religious". Hmmm....that in turned gave me encouragement to keep pressing on.

I hope you are encouraged in your walk today as well to reach out and help, extend a listening ear, money, whatever it is and be Jesus's hands and feet wherever you go, despite what others may say!

Song. "10,000 Reasons"
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