I didn’t notice him until I turned and saw two sandaled feet planted inches from where I was kneeling on the sidewalk. I had been focused on pulling weeds and didn’t notice his approach.

As I looked up, a beautiful smile spread across his face, forcing his frown lines to fold over one another. He was dressed in a traditional kurta, blueish grey from head to toe, and he held what looked to be a small handled bowl.

I stood up to greet him.  He told me his name was Rakesh and for the next 25 minutes, he shared how he works hard to be a good man, the challenges of growing up in his native Mumbai, and the love he shares with his wife. As he talked, his hands painted images in the air, his story occasionally interrupted by words and phrases I couldn’t understand.

And then he said something that took me by surprise.

Rakesh took a step toward me and stated with great determination, “I want to bow to you.” I’m sure my eyes and body language yelled I was uncomfortable with his statement. But just to make it clear, I said, “No that is not necessary, I don’t…” But he immediately cut me off mid-sentence and stated again, “I will bow to you.”

With that, he knelt on the ground in front of my feet and touched both of my shoes with his hands, said a few words, and then stood. He then placed both hands on my head and began to repeat a sequence of words I couldn’t comprehend. Once completed he put his palms together, the small bowl cupped between them, bowed, and walked away.

I stood motionless trying to determine what had just transpired. As I turned, I watched Rakesh return to his front porch. He sat down and watched the cars move up and down the street.

My yard work wasn’t finished but I also wanted to stay out of Rakesh’s sight. So, I pulled weeds on the side of the house, hidden by the front porch pillars, until I heard a sweet voice call, “Breakfast is ready.” I looked around the corner and saw him head indoors and I knew the coast was clear. I’m not sure what I thought was going to happen, all I knew was I didn’t want to face another sidewalk blessing.

My next-door neighbors, Sunita and Naresh, rounded the corner of the fence and saw me peering from behind the porch. They asked, with a bit of confusion in their voices, “What are you doing?” I stood and explained what had just happened. They looked at one another and began to laugh.

Sunita and Naresh call Mumbai home but have lived in the States for decades. They’ve adopted my husband and me, often introducing us to amazing food, helping us understand the nuances of their culture, and freely providing support and friendship.

They appeared excited to help me understand my recent experience.

Naresh shared that their religious beliefs teach that women have great value. And because of that, Rakesh’s actions were a way of honoring the work he saw me doing. He wanted to let me know that I was respected and appreciated. Sunita added, “Even though he doesn’t know you, he wanted you to know he cares.”

Sunita’s statement stuck with me. Rakesh had seen me – kneeling on the ground, covered in weed dust and dirt, and took the time to walk across the street and extend a blessing to a stranger. Unbelievable!

As I continued to reflect on my sidewalk encounter, I started thinking about the number of times I’ve failed to acknowledge someone crossing my path. When was the last time I struck up a conversation with a stranger or offered a word of encouragement? How often do I put action to my faith? How frequently do I pray with my neighbors, praise them for their efforts, or let them know they are appreciated?

My sidewalk extolling has given me a new perspective. If I call myself a Christ follower, I need to be willing to see those around me, acknowledge their value, and encourage them. It is what my Father would want me to do. It is one way I can reflect his love in a world growing more and more divided.

I hope my story encourages you to see all those around you through the eyes of Christ, created in God’s image, valued, and greatly loved.

“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

1 Matthew 22:37-39

Be Blessed,