Thank god for his blessings in good times and bad

Joel Osteen said, “When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are always blessed in abundance.”

When on leave, I invariably seem busier than at other times of the year. I rush from one place to another, and in those times, the rickshaws on NCR roads become a godsend as they manoeuvre through traffic-clogged roads. But for them, I would spent a larger part of the day behind the steering wheel.

It was one such day when I hailed a rickshaw to get back home. I was pleasantly surprised when the young, bearded man quoted a meagre 20 rupees as the fare, five rupees less than the rate. I got on to the seat when my eyes fell on the loose sleeve hanging limply from his left shoulder. I felt guilty and a doubt entered my mind ... Would it be safe? What if he couldn’t balance? But he deftly pulled on to the road and swung into his seat. After a few minutes I hesitantly asked him if he found it difficult to manage with one hand. His unexpected reply left me speechless: “Parvardigaar bahut bada hai ... Sab ka khayal rakhta hai” (the almighty is great ... He takes care of everyone). The incessant blaring of horns ceased to exist for a moment as I reeled under the impact of his words.

I’ve always felt that my faith in the almighty was unparalleled. I always thank God for his blessings but when things don’t go as I want them to, I have blamed him for my troubles, the worst of which could not have been half as tough as the ordeal that this man must be undergoing every day.

I added an extra 10 rupees to the fare. He blessed me, “Allah bhala karega” (God will bless you). The hard-earned money I placed in his calloused palm will never compensate for the lesson in acceptance and the faith he taught me.