This morning, as my train arrived at the first stop after I got on, I sighed. The platform was full of children. A school trip. Wonderful. I was really hoping that they weren't going to be on the train for very long. I did feel for the teachers and parents. I can't imagine being responsible for ten children and getting on and off of the tube, trying to make sure no one was left behind. As soon as each little group of ten got on and the doors closed, you could see the adults looking around and counting heads. Going on the tube is such a treat for these children. It's really sweet, unless I'm still tired, haven't had coffee, and would really rather be in bed still. :)
The kids all dashed for the few remaining seats. The one teacher, an English man probably about 40, walked over to the section near me, and spoke to one of the boys. "Sammy, it may be old fashioned of me, but I believe you shouldn't sit when a lady is standing, and your mum is standing. Could you please stand and offer her your seat?" Dutifully, Sammy stood up and when his mom declined, he offered it to one of the other girls in his class. After she also said no, he looked to his teacher. "Ok, thank you, Sammy. You can go ahead and sit down if they don't want to."
I couldn't help but wonder how the adult men in my section of the train felt.
The general guideline of the London tubes is: "No one else exists in my little bubble." Because of that, I'm always really appreciative when a man stands to offer an older lady his seat. But I'm also saddened by how infrequent that can be! I try to make it a point of courtesy, rather than gender, and offer my seat if there is a small child or a person significantly older than me. I love that it creates a chain reaction. Inevitably, when I've done that, if a seat opens up and there is a man standing near me, he generally offers me the chance to sit rather than taking it himself.
One night, I was going home on the train and it was a long day. I was succumbing to the (again, London learned) habit of studiously ignoring the crowd around me and appreciating the fact that I had a seat. However, I happened to glance down at my bag, resting at my feet. To my chagrin, the woman standing next to my seat had a walking cast on her foot! I looked up at her and asked, "Would you like my seat?" She looked thrilled (well, as much as the English express delight!...I'm being cheeky today!) and responded, "If you don't mind." I hopped up and maneuvered through the crush of people so that she could then sit in my seat.
The interaction, though it was a few weeks ago now, has been a good reminder me for me to be eager to do good. Not just to do good, but to be eager to do good! I went back to 1 Peter 3 to do a refresh of that lesson. It is so easy to sit back and wait first to see if someone else will offer a seat before I do. After all, they might not be as tired as I am, or they might not be carrying a laptop, handbag and lunch bag. But in waiting to do good, I'm missing the spirit of what the Bible teaches!
"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For,
“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fearb; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil."
1 Peter 3:8-17
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