One of Us has a Need that One of Us Can Meet

Two weeks ago I was at a meeting somewhere in Kiambu, as has been the case a lot lately. For these meetings, I need to be out of the house by 4:30am so as not to meet with the ‘dreaded’ Nairobi traffic on OuterRing and Thika Roads. Am basically a nocturnal person – meaning am more awake and productive in the night when its quiet, than in the day when I am most likely to be distracted by the diverse energies emitted by us humans. I am fascinated by people. This had been as winter a week as it could get in Nairobi and its immediate environs – especially the greener neighbors. That particular day was cold but in a warmer way than lets say, the day before it.

So I get to the meeting point and the staff greet me warmly, carry my HUGE bag (don’t even ask…) to the meeting room and I proceed to rearrange it (the room) in my mind then ask them to rearrange it to conform to the expected dynamics for the day. That day I hadn’t spend time with God in the morning because I was again rushing to wakefulness from barely two hours of rest into a day that would be dense with listening. I was therefore somewhat more than a little grouchy (ask Leroy who lovingly got up to help me get ready -as usual – and carry the afore-mentioned bag to the conveyor) so I didn’t even like myself. But this particular place I was headed to has become like home to me, and the staff received with patient warmth. Anyway, mission accomplished I settled into my own assignment. It WAS cold .

One of my team-leaders (the one for the 15-year laptop conversation whose everything has an exclamation mark, remember?) walks in, hugs me, catches up with how my week has been and orders a cup of tea for both of us. I thought he had ordered just one for himself. When the delicious looking cup of mixed-tea – as can only be made in Kenya – is served, I look at it and remember ‘doctors’ orders’. I had been extremely anemic in the recent past so my whole spirit, soul and body resisted it. Too many hospital visits lately for ‘eating politeness’ and the trauma of being subjected to needle after needle have taught me a new default: No POLITE EATING.

I knew I was holding the tea for someone. He came shortly after, warmly said hello with cold hands. I smiled and asked if he would mind having a cup of tea. He smiles and reaches out then asks ‘What about you?” “I will be okay sir. This one is for you.” One cannot have what Heaven has not given them right? So I rub my hands, and wonder again why I did not fold in a big duvet into my big bag that is otherwise filled with ‘impractical perhapses’. Anyway, I thought to myself, as soon as the room was full and I started typing, I would forget that I was cold and hungry – very hungry. And that tea break was in three short hours .

Suddenly, a slim figure draped in black and white materialized next to me and with a quiet and understanding smile, placed the most beautiful cup of hot chocolate I had ever seen on ‘my’ table and slipped away like a mirage. Ohhhhh Heaven had heard my wordless prayer. It took just one thought, one person, who could do something to do it. Ohh The Grace of God. I bowed bowed my head and talked to The Love of my Life – He was busy divinely romancing me even when I felt too busy for Him. O LOVE THAT WILL NOT LET ME GO. What has that Love led you to do today? How has He caused you to receive His Love today? Remember, ONE OF US HAS A NEED, THAT JUST ONE OF US CAN MEET.

Shalom.

vipslit@yahoo.ca