The road to Damascus -page 15

Been thinking a lot of late. Twice I have tried to help old friends. Turned out a bad idea. As if the two incidents have connived to remind me to choose myself and my happiness first and foremost, above everyone.

I run into this old childhood friend. She was broke, had to drop out of school to learn a trade. I listened to her story.

She told me she’s secured a shop. The only thing standing between her and the completion of her shop is a few finishing touches. I asked of the estimate, and sent money I had saved for something personal. It had taken me two whole years to save that money.

But I was just thinking, “Wouldn’t it be a joy to see an old friend start something, and wouldn’t have to depend on others for her petty needs?“

After sending the money, I kept hearing one excuse after another why the shop couldn’t be operational, and I felt sad, discouraged and disappointed that my attempts to help an old friend ended up a scam. The money wasn’t a loan. It was a gift.

What were her scheming and lying for? Couldn’t she have explained that perhaps she never had a shop, was looking for a job, or explain what her problem really was?

It’s beginning to dawn on me that not all who have a problem really want it solved. And often times, people who seem to be in desperate situations are really not in desperate situations as it seems. Sometimes, they have alternatives not visible to the Samaritan. And such attitude of theirs make it harder to help someone in a really precarious situation next time.

But one thing is clear: it is always a good idea to prioritises one’s welfare, one peace of mind, one’s comfort above all else. And when we are overflowing with met needs, we can overflow into the lives of others and be a blessing. Instead of depleting ourselves to nourish people who are not willing to grow.