The simplicity of life, people

It takes the Monday Blues to help one appreciate the simplicity of life and people. I must confess, the thought of the long checklist of to-dos and a failing memory can cause undue stress at the beginning of the week.

People come in all shapes and sizes ...
On top of that, we meet all sorts of people in the corporate world. Not everyone is a friend - some are your "friends" because of the seat you are currently in or what you can do for them to help them fulfill their own agendas; others seem to be "lost in space" most times, like me during peak seasons. Thankfully, there are a few good friends, too, who are there for the simple joys of being who they are - a friend, a colleague, and a blessing.

No connectivity = The Simple life!
Connectivity was poor today. As a result, I was not able to stay connected for a few hours ... that too, was stressful.

So what did I decide to do?

Given the current shortage of useable cars at home, Dad agrees to drop me off at the nearest Starbucks after lunch so I can get connected and send along the many emails that piled up over the few hours of non-connectivity.

Along the way, the car tyre goes flat. Dad gets out of the car and confirms that we have a very flat tyre. There was no doubt we had to stay put and change the tyre.

Skeleton in the closet ...
My heart skipped a beat as this was going to further delay my sending out the emails in my Outbox.

Another confession - I have worked in an automotive company for 2.5 years and am ashamed that I still don't know how to change a flat tyre. I asked Dad if I could be of any earthly use at this point.

He shakes his head.

"I can help you carry the good tyre from the trunk, or you can just tell me what to do with the car jack and I will do it. You have a bad back ... just let me help!" I said.

He shakes his head again. Somehow, Dad exhibits his stubborn streak at the oddest times. He chooses to put his frail five feet 10-inch frame (maybe shorter by 1 inch now!) through the torture of bending down to inspect the flat tyre and fittings for the car jack.

Light drops of rain started falling as we stood along the side of the slopy road just outside the famous Sunrise duck rice shop at Paramount Gardens.

Within seconds, large raindrops pelted on our heads and bare arms. By this time, Dad was working faster while I grabbed an umbrella from the back seat ... and still feeling terribly helpless.

Modern-day Samaritan
Out of the blue, a gentleman came by and said, "Uncle, do you need any help?"

My almost 70-year-old Dad shakes his head and said "No need. I can handle this!"

The gentleman said, "Uncle, it's raining. Better to have two pairs of hands to get the job done faster."

Thankfully, my Dad agreed and the young gentleman took over. Dressed in corporate attire, he rolled up his shirt sleeves, bent down and began unbolting the tyre.

It was raining cats and dogs by then. Dad and I stood under the old golf unbrella, trying to stay dry while also trying to keep the gentleman from getting wet.

Water was gushing down the side of the sloped street. It was obvious the man's leather shoes were pretty much ruined, while Dad and myself were drenched from ankle up.

A young lady comes to the rescue and brings her medium-sized umbrella to provide more coverage but to no avail. Water was coming through our old umbrella with tiny holes.

(We have so many good umbrellas at home. I don't know why we still have an old umbrella sitting in Dad's kinkety-kank Bimmer!)

A good 15 to 20 minutes later, the job was done with the good tyre in place and the bad tyre in the trunk.

... still raining heavily ...

"Thank you so much for helping. I don't know what I would have done otherwise ..." Dad said.

To our suprise, the gentlemen replied, "That's what Christians are supposed to do ... to help one another ..."

And the thought that completed the gentleman's response came to me ...

"If people of faith cannot be the blessing whom God has called them to be, how then will the world know and experience God in our midst!"

I don't even know the gentleman's and lady's names. They were the good Samaritans who parked their light green Proton at the side of the road just so they could give us a helping hand during our time of need. They were a blessing and did not expect a single thing in return. They were like God's angels sent to comfort Dad and me today.


Godliness with contentment is great gain ...
This incident reminds me of how precious and simple life can be ... if only we can be nicer to another, if only we can be gracious with our words and seek to be a blessing to the other without seeking material or worldly gains in return, the world would be a much nicer place to live in.

In celebration of the simple miracles in life, I am contented to just stay home tonight. To enjoy a very simple dinner, and post this entry.

(Photo) Malaysian delicate snacks made of flour, sugar, corn bits and ground peanuts coupled with a wheat cereal drink.

Thank God for reminding me of the things most important in life - to have good relationships with God, with loved ones, and friends; to be obedient to God's purposes and plans, and to do good works so that God's rule and reign on earth can be experienced by peoples.

Thank God for all he has done and all that he is about to do.