In the Parable of the Good Samaritan — found in Luke 10:29-37 — Jesus answers the question, “who really is my neighbor?”
Recently, I found myself reflecting on that. You see, my apartment complex is currently undergoing a massive renovation. The residents (including me) are gradually being relocated to a nearby hotel until the work is completed. So, you could say I’ve found myself in uncharted territory, in somewhat unfamiliar surroundings.
One particular Sunday evening, I struggled to navigate the steep descent into the hotel parking lot with 2 relatively large boxes of bread, all while holding on tightly to my wheelchair. Before I knew it, the darkness of night had come upon me. Many individuals in vehicles and on foot passed by without offering to assist me. But that was not the case with Earl.
Initially, he hurriedly approached me, which made me feel a bit uneasy. That feeling did not go away, especially as he got closer and slowed his pace to match mine — which for him must’ve seemed like a crawl. He asked if I needed help. I nervously replied, “No, I think I’ve got it. Thanks!”.
Even though I refused his offer to help he didn’t leave my side. Instead, he walked me to the front door of the hotel and used his own key to get in so I didn’t have to look for mine. Feeling a bit better about his presence, I said: “Oh, so you’re a guest here too, huh?”
He said “Yes ma’am,” as he continued to escort me and all my goodies onto the elevator.
When we reached my room I said, “Well, since you took the time to walk me all the way to my room, I think I should at least know your name, don’t you?’
When he said Earl, I audibly giggled which prompted him to ask: “Is that funny?”
I apologized and said no, but the last person who stopped to talk with me that night invited me to sing along to the song that was blaring from their car (as many of my readers know, I’m ALWAYS singing.) What was the song that was playing? “Goodbye, Earl.” As I continued to try to explain my laughter he interrupted and simply said: “I get it.” How embarrassing!
If that wasn’t bad enough, turns out he was staying in a room just down the hall and his lady (as he calls her), Ms. T (who I know very well from the local Taco Bell) then walked out into the hall and asked, “what took you so long?!”
He answered her, “I’m sorry, but I saw her with all this stuff, and I didn’t want anything to happen to her; she’s our neighbor.” (It turns out they really are my neighbors; they live directly above me in the same building!) He continued, “I walked her home ’cause it was the right thing to do. I mean these days you just never know what might happen!’
I also apologized to Ms. T for delaying his return, but when she saw who I was she was really cool about it. As a reward for his kindness, I let them go through my boxes of bread to get whatever they wanted out of it. It wasn’t much, but it was the least I could do under the circumstances.
In the days in which we live, it can be all too easy to assume the worst in people and suspect their true motives. But whenever possible, why not try to give someone the benefit of the doubt? It is just as Jesus taught. Anyone around us, regardless of their ethnicity or economic class, can be our neighbor if they set aside any bias or prejudice and sacrifice their time, money, or convenience to help someone else in need. As for me, I am fortunate to have such a neighbor in Earl!