Spiritual refreshment is food for thought
THIS Easter Sunday, possibly for the first time in my life, I was unable to attend one of the most important services of the Christian calendar.
Little did I realise that I was going to receive my spiritual lesson from a different source.
Towards the end of my shift in the care home where I work, we suddenly realised that we were dangerously low on teabags, and this could have caused a major catastrophe for the residents, who naturally regard the beverage as an absolute necessity.
Deciding to be magnanimous and hopefully not smug, I offered to drive to our local supermarket on my way home in an attempt to eradicate the problem.
This could be a belated Easter gift to one and all, which would probably be just as well received as an egg.
I duly collected the essentials and took them to the checkout, where the cashier proceeded to process the order.
It was then that I let out a little shriek, mentally admonishing myself for my stupidity... I never take my wallet to work!
Without a moment’s hesitation, two people approached me, possibly recognising my uniform and badge, and offered to pay instead of me.
They ignored my protestations, and refused to give me their contact details which would have enabled me to reimburse them as soon as practicable.
Both told me that during Ramadan they were encouraged to be kind to others and help their local community.
It was incredibly kind of them, and left me with a warm feeling which remained with me for several hours afterwards.
After delivering the tea to the relevant floors, I drove home, safe in the knowledge that they had received their physical refreshment, and that simultaneously, I had received my spiritual refreshment.
I have always been of the opinion that all religions that have kindness and compassion for others as a base, are branches on the same tree, and deserve equal respect.
In these sad times both nationally and locally, with constant bad news overriding the good, it would be wonderful if the world religions joined together to make the world a better place to live.
Carole A Smith Lakeside, Cardiff