Boost Someone’s Day

Sunday morning began with a light-hearted mood. I decided to order for some Dosa online to enjoy breakfast with a friend.

For those  not familiar, a Dosa is a thin pancake or crepe originating from South India, made from a fermented batter predominantly consisting of lentils and rice.  It is accompanied with Sambar a vegetable soup and tangy Chutney, a savory condiment made from slow-cooked vegetables, vinegar, and spices.

The food package was delivered by an older looking man, unlike most delivery people who are usually younger.

I took the pack and since the order was for cash on delivery, I handed him a currency note and waited for him to return the change. After taking the note he suggested that he left his wallet downstairs on his bike in the parking area. He asked me if he could go down and return with the change.

Since I did not have the required amount in smaller bills, I had a choice. I could take the money back from him and wait for him to first get his wallet from downstairs or show trust by not taking the note back.

I decided to trust.

He took the money and rushed away and for a long time there was no sign of him returning with the change.

‘Your money is gone. I don’t think he’s coming back.’ My friend commented when getting to know that I had handed over a bigger note than the amount due to the food delivery guy.

I stayed silent.                                                                                                                          

Not with any regret or fear but because I was working out something.

I wanted to demonstrate that I trust in people without even knowing them.

For a moment, a thought did come to mind, was I over expecting and being a bit overconfident?

Was I wrong in trying to boost someone’s confidence by demonstrating trust?

Was I going overboard in trying to make someone’s day?

Maybe yes. That thought brought in a little disappointment.

Then after what seemed like a very long gap, the doorbell rang.

It was the delivery guy back with the change.

Before I could say anything, he said, “Thank you” and repeated it a few times as though he felt grateful because of my trust in him.

I gave him a tip, and he left with a happy smile.

‘Surprising! You got the money back, i’m sure if it was me I would never get it back.’ My friend commented.

That’s when I realised that in all probability I could have got cheated too, but the conviction with which I responded was different.

The Spirit with which I am trusting is different.

The Spirit with which I give is different.

The positive responses I receive back cannot be accomplished by a mere thought or desire to encourage someone or just do something noble, it calls for the Love of God to arise from within. It demands a different kind of guts to express yourself without fear or insecurity.

Here I was watching an older delivery man, doing what younger people are doing to make a living, knowing that he may not be fitting in, and still continues, perhaps looking for someone to accept him as he is, for who he is and that was exactly what I was thinking when I let him go with my money at first.

I am convinced, the reason why he came back was to live up to the trust someone placed in him and to do his work ethically and responsibly despite having the opportunity to gain something extra by cheating.

That day, we both accomplished our mission.

We both made each other’s day.

I understood once again, it is when we carry the right Spirit and do things with the appropriate Spirit, we will see positive results.

The next time, when you sense the Spirit of God nudging you to trust someone, to cheer or to bring a smile on someone’s face, be sensitive and quick to discern, get God on your side, get into the right Spirit, then go ahead, boost someone’s day.

Bible Verse:

Encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

1 Thessalonians 5:14

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