“God helps those who help themselves.” ~ Ben
Franklin, 1757
Sufia approached the feeble old woman
squatting on the busy sidewalk. She
appeared to be one of India’s many street beggars. She wanted to donate a few rupees but
couldn’t find the woman’s collection box.
Noting Sufia’s confused look, the old woman spoke in a curious
voice; a gravel-and-silken mix of whiskey gruffness and educated prose. “Hello!
My friends call me Shila Mashi. Would
you like to buy some home-made chips?” she asked.
She wasn’t a beggar – but an entrepreneur!
An intense discussion followed, one that not only ended in a
successful sale, but a lesson that Sufia would never forget. She bought a packet of chips from Shila and
later posted her experience on Facebook, writing:
“For two hours each way, she navigates by bus and by foot to reach that
pavement in Kolkata where she squats every evening. When asked if she has a problem travelling,
she replies in a surprising voice “No,
the bus gets me here and my health isn’t too bad.”
Behind 85 years of sun-baked wrinkles, her angelic smile paints a
picture of determination to live an honorable life. Her clothing never appears shabby; always
clean and fresh.
At an age when she would love to enjoy grandchildren, quiet retirement
and all life’s happiness, she works to support three grandchildren orphaned by
the death of their father. Day in and
day out, Shila Mashi’s been taking risks to ensure the financial security of
her family, earning only about 400 rupees per day ($6.50) selling homemade
chips. Dignity means everything to her; she’ll work till her last breath rather
than accept charity.”
Sufia had an idea, one that would preserve the woman’s
self-respect and increase her business, but from way behind the
scenes. She launched the “Our World, Our
Initiative” Facebook page urging people to buy Shila’s chips. It worked – her sales exploded.
Our World, Our Initiative (check it out at: https://www.facebook.com/OurWorldOurInitiative
) is a student initiative which highlights the problems of all elderly citizens
of Kolkata, India. It’s expanded to
include children’s issues. Said Sufia, “We
can’t solve all problems, but drop by drop we’ll fill the ocean with hope.”
Most of us have never really had to struggle for survival. We enjoy life’s boundless opportunities,
waiting for the ball to bounce to us, and then complain when trouble
follows.
How many times a day do we complain about what we do or
don’t have? About life that’s not in synch
with our dreams, about a face that’s not beautiful or handsome enough, or about
the wealth, success or prestige that we ‘deserve.’
God helps those who help themselves - with boundless grace
today, yesterday, forever. He asks only
in return that we walk in His ways.
Lord, please don’t let me waste this
day! Help me spend today loving You,
serving You and praising You for the goodness and blessings of life You’ve
given me. I don’t have time for fear of
death or hardship, as you are my refuge.
Amen
