Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is IGNORE.
I am inspired by Kate Motaung’s post on the perceived awkwardness that can cause us to ignore ‘strangers’ and so I want to share my own subsequent reflections.
I remembered how today I was walking back from the swimming pool, hood up to keep my wet head as warm as possible, and saw, at a bus stop, a young woman holding a very new baby against her shoulder whilst frantically going about something urgent in the pram. I could see there was only 2 minutes till the bus was due, so stopped to offer help. She refused help at first, but then confessed to being freaked out at having seen a ‘massive spider’ in the pram and was trying to find it. I searched the pram for her, assured her it was gone and put back the mattress and blankets so she could replace the baby in peace.
Kate’s post caused me to think how easily I now make those decisions to show compassion with strangers – especially if there seems to be a need, a child, or a slight vulnerability in the other – this seems to give me the sense of courage of responsibility to make the first move and be neighbourly.
I wonder if it is because we heard so many warnings about ‘stranger danger’ when growing up?
Thinking back, there was a time when I was so wounded and insecure that I would ignore the phone ringing, even when I could see friends calling, and would often hide away so that I could ignore the world. I had the sense that ignorance is bliss.
I am so grateful for the healing of God through community. Now I see strangers as friends I haven’t yet met.
Doesn’t scripture say something about when entertaining strangers we may be entertaining angels?
It is true that we are wounded in relationship and it is through relationship and the growth of trust that we are gradually healed.
dawnfanshawe 
I love how you’re able to look back on your journey and see how God has brought healing!
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Thank you, Lesley. It can be comforting to know that whilst we may not be where we hope to be, we are on the journey and are not stuck where we were. And our companion is faithful!
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I looked on every stranger
as a potential friend,
but often they sensed danger,
and thought me ’round the bend
with my skinhead hairstyle
and Doc Martens boots.
They overlooked my winning smile,
and though me in cahoots
with the mad pub-wrecking crowd
(they really were correct);
and while of course I was quite proud
of that, I think that it did not reflect
my capacity for random kindness
which I hoped might shine through others’ blindness.
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lol. There’s note wrong wi Doc Martens! x
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This is such a beautiful testimony, Dawn, “How easily I now make decisions to show compassion with strangers – especially if there seems to be a need, a child, or a slight vulnerability in the other person.”
I appreciate how you articulated this Dawn as the need and vulnerability helps us “get over” being our self-consciousness to be other-conscious.
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Thank you for your encouraging comments. God is not finished with us yet! 😀 ❤
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God has a marvelous way of healing us through community and drawing us out of ourselves!
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yes, Corinne. Very much so. We are designed for community. I am so grateful to and for the communities that I can be a part of.
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