Jesusluvsall's Blog

Yesterday I got on the bus to go teach my evening class and saw a young woman on the bus in her motorized wheel chair. Someone was sitting across from her, so I smiled and walked to the back. A few stops later the person got off, so there was room to sit across from the young woman in the wheel chair.

I moved to sit across from her and asked if she was a student. She said yes, so I told her I teach English Second Language at the community college. I could see her eyes brighten up because someone was talking with her. It was obvious she has Cerebral Palsy, so I imagine she is used to people walking by her and not even acknowledging here.

I asked what her major was, but the noise from the bus was so loud I could hear her. So she typed it in her cell phone. As she was typing, she drooled and I could tell she felt embarrassed, so I told her a few times- “It’s okay.”

We got to her stop, so I wished her a good evening as she left.

I thought about her and what it must feel like for her to be a young woman confined to a wheelchair because of her disease at an age young women hope to graduate college, start a career, and perhaps meet their future husband.

I think the worst part of being in a wheelchair with a disease like Cerebral Palsy is the feeling that one is invisible because people just pass you by.

It was a little thing for me to stop and chat with her, but I wonder what it meant to her for someone to treat like a human being. What did it mean for her that someone showed a little kindness and treat her with respect?

What would Jesus do in such a situation? Of course he could heal her, but I am not Jesus. But what else would he do? Surely he would love her and treat her with kindness. He would take interest in her. He would acknowledge her.

That brings me back to wonder how many people who are struggling with an illness or handicap have I just walked by in my lifetime.

Yesterday was only a little action on my part. I hope it brightened her day. I also hope God gives me more opportunities to show small acts of kindness to those who get overlooked in life. I do so with my refugee friends, but hope to do so more with others as well.

Yesterday I saw her, the young woman in the wheelchair, but it was more than seeing her. The Lord helped me take note of her.

Do we see them? The people others just pass by? Do we take note of them and the opportunity to show kindness and Christ’s love?

Thank you for reading. God Bless.