Some things are best left alone

In life, there are and will be people and things that are not meant to change. You can trying everything in their power to effect change for the better—say for instance—through an act to help someone. A person in need compels the human heart to reach out and help, but the reciprocation is not always appreciative. I have seen and even experienced a stab in the back by people whose intentions are to hurt rather than simply bask in the glory of getting assistance by, not necessarily licking your boot or bowing to you, but displaying a simple gesture of humanity and thankfulness. These are the kind that rush to scandalise, demonise, belittle a positive nature and will not hesitate to plan their helpers’ downfall.

Watching a re-enactment of a tragic end to an act of genuine love for humanity in Seattle, USA on one of the television channels this week, I was reminded about the vileness of the human nature and wondered how anybody would want to harm a giving hand. The documentary was about a middle-aged man and his wife who took in a homeless man, offered him work, shelter and food under their roof believing they were giving this soul a chance. All went on well for a while and, of course, every household has rules and checks.

One of the rules was that this new additional desists from bringing in anyone else into the premises. He obliged for a while, but later decided to secretly lodge in two strangers he met on the streets. The owner ultimately found out and a confrontation on the same led to his murder by this stranger he offered help. His good nature ended up sealing his own fate. How tragic!

I know we all have relatives, friends and strangers we feel persuaded to help in various ways. Not everybody is ungrateful, but I am sure many of us have experienced nasty reciprocities in one way or another. It hurts deeper when it is exerted by people we are close to and love. It almost forces many of us into dungeons of regrets and attempt to reversals in efforts of retaliation. The more aid you give, the more pain is inflicted in various forms such as taunts, agony, scorn and well, death in extreme cases.

This now begs the question on whether we need to look out for humanity or simply turn a blind eye and walk past. Why suffer scorn over a good deed? Is it time we let God be God, ignore dire situations? But have we not been made to believe that the same God helps his people through others? Why should it be wrong to help someone in need?

I shall not attempt to discourage anybody from reaching out to someone to making a difference. As one’s spirit directs, so shall it be. As for me, well, experience has taught me differently. I will never rush into getting meddled up in other people’s business, lest I suffer the pangs of regret. Sometimes the best help is the kind that walks past. There is a reason we are all in our different predicaments!