I feel ashamed. This week I take up my pen and publicly admit my own prejudiced spirit. Listen to this story and learn from my mistake.
Last week Saturday I went on an outride in Tarlton.
Yes, at 58 after almost 20 years I was on a horse. A few miles into the ride, the horse changed direction without warning. I found myself dizzy, winded and bruised on the road. My friends helped me back onto the horse and we slowly made our way back to the stables. News travels fast and a welcoming party was ready for the pastor, a wounded pastor.
A Muslim man, beard and all, offered me a piece of watermelon. I looked deep into his brown eyes and saw what shocked me. Through CNN and BBC and maybe all my religious support system, Muslims are Taliban, terrorists who want to kill me. It is how we are influenced, if we are honest. But I saw in his eyes and his offer of ice cold watermelon, kindness, concern and genuine empathy.
As I looked at him, I thought, you probably look more like Jesus than I do and you are doing exactly what I would expect from him.
His random act of kindness has made me question my unfounded prejudice.
Mark 9:41, “I tell you the truth, anyone that gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not loose his reward”.
