It was a year on Friday 16th of December 2011 that I lost a very dear friend of mine to the Lord at the tender age of twenty nine. I had work as normal but I had been up most of the night, so I got up slightly late. As I left I did what I always did. I put my headphones into my phone and started playing music. I then headed off to the bus stop.
On the bus I was very fidgety, constantly going from song to song. Nothing I found I could listen to more than a few moments of. A man moved seats from behind me and sat next to me, even though there were many free seats. He then tapped me on my shoulder, so I took out one of my earphones. He told me he wanted my phone, my bag and all my money. He then pulled out a knife and said "Don't make me use it.".
I looked into his eyes, and down at his trembling hand holding this large flip knife. I told him "No, for two reasons. Firstly my phone although insured has pictures of my dead friend, secondly it is the anniversary of his death today.".
I then told him "My laptop is in my bag and houses irreplaceable pictures that I will never be able to get back, also the laptop was once his.".
Put simply I said, "You are not getting anything from me. This is not the right way to obtain money, you need to get a job.". Knife still out, his hand still trembling, I could see he didn't know what to say or do. I put my headphone back into my ear and continued listening. After about ten minutes of ignoring this guy who I could see still had his knife out on me, I took out both of my headphones and put them away.
This was the longest ten minutes of my life to date. I felt a range of emotions, sorrow, fear, anger, sympathy and ultimately forgiveness. I wasn't in the best of moods because of the day and then here I had a guy holding me at knife point demanding my possessions. I felt an inkling to retaliate, to fight back. There was at least fifteen people on the top floor of the bus, we could have easily taken him by force. However I choose not to go down that road as I or more importantly another could easily have gotten stabbed or even killed, and that will be on me.
As much as I wasn't in control of the situation I was, because I was in control of myself. Instead of letting my emotions rule me, I ruled them. The fear and anger I felt subsided and I felt a deep sense of sympathy. This guy looked no older than twenty and looked lost and scared. His hand was trembling. Although I noticed this earlier all that was running through my mind was the knife. I failed to see the most important sign but I could see it so clearly now. His hand was trembling. Now is that the reaction you would get from someone who mugs others for a living?
I seen in front of me not a mugger or thief but a young, scared, desperate man who had lost his way. The fact he had a knife no longer mattered to me.
I looked deep into myself and did the only thing I knew to be right.
I turned to him and said "Since you are not going anywhere and I am not going anywhere we might as well get to know each other.". I took out my hand and placed it toward his free hand and told him "My names Wayne. Pleased to meet you.". He took my hand and said his name was also funnily Wayne.
We talked, I told him I was one of ten siblings, he was one of six. He ended up telling me how he had just been released from prison, it was coming up to Christmas and that he had no money. He wanted to buy his newborn son something, whom he missed the birth of. He didn't even have enough money to help his girlfriend pay for heating, or food. He proceeded to show me pictures of his newborn son on his phone.
He said he has tried looking for a job but nobody wants to employ someone who has been in prison and that his pride will not allow him to go on welfare.
I told him welfare is a better life than stealing from others. I work day and night for the things I have and nobody has the right to take what belongs to another. I told him if he continues he will end up back in prison and his son will be without a Dad. I highlighted this fact by pointing to two cameras on the bus.
He then started to get nervous, I could hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes. I told him of a place in our city centre where I knew he could get a job as my younger brother just started there and they were actively seeking new workers. All he needed to do was hold a sign. They paid above the national minimum wage and was very flexible with the hours.
He asked where it was so I explained. I told him what buses he needed to catch and where he needed to get off. I knew he would have trouble getting to work if he did hopefully get the job so I reached into my pocket, took out my wallet and gave him money. I told him he could get a months bus pass for that.
He then asked me if I was going to call the police on him, I told him "No". When he asked why I told him "I didn't want to see him locked up for Christmas". I also told him to never brandish that knife again. I got off the bus as it was the end of our journey. I told him I'll show him where to catch the bus he needs and walked with him to the next bus stop.
He apologized for everything and thanked me saying "I was the nicest guy he has ever met.". I thanked him and told him hopefully we don't meet again in such fashion. We then parted ways.
If I had chosen a different path, the picture painted above could have been so much different. Never underestimate acts of love and compassion not matter how simple or complex they are. They can change the course of a persons life.
I am only here blogging about this very subject because of an act of pure love and compassion that happened over 2,000 years ago, and one that will always be felt.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16 KJV
I say to you all, when you are oppressed, beaten, humiliated or threatened make the hardest choice and walk the longer road by showing unconditional love. For this is the road to our Lord and the Kingdom of Heaven. For it is God's will that all men be saved.
"Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4 KJV
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