Becoming a Light - Episode 1

 By: Kelly McDonald

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matt. 5:16

Roger lowered his New Testament, and looked out the window. What good works could he accomplish to become a light to others? As the sunrise was beginning to brighten his room, ideas began to stream through his mind.

        Then, Roger began to plan a new business opportunity, a nonprofit organization that would accomplish good things. Perhaps it could raise money for helping individuals in foreign countries to start new businesses, and eventually become a light to others. Roger was an expert entrepreneur. He had years of experience developing online businesses, his most recent being an agency to help visitors contract with tour guides for national parks. But this one would be different. Yes, it would receive income, but the business goals would be philanthropic, the funds used for good purposes.

        Roger mused about collecting donations to build playgrounds for financially challenged schools. He wondered about the possibility of assisting the terminally ill, helping them to meet their dreams. What about a new library for the senior care center down the street? Those old people need some attention just like the others.

        But, his wandering thoughts were interrupted by the incessant ringing of his front doorbell. Roger snapped out of his reverie and arose to open the door. Standing on his front doorstep was his new neighbor across the street, Sandra, an older woman, a widow he remembered. She was soaking wet, shivering in the morning chill, a look of anguish on her face.

“What happened?” Roger asked.

“Pipe broke… Water all over my kitchen… it sprayed me… I don’t know what to do.” Sandra stammered, then began to sob.

“I’ll come over.” Roger said. He looked down at his notes. The mission statement for his new business was just beginning to take shape. But it would have to wait.  He couldn’t refuse to help this woman. He grabbed a towel off of the kitchen table as he ran out the door, placing it around her shaking shoulders.

        When they arrived at her open front door, Roger rushed into the kitchen, Sandra following close behind. A healthy stream of water was running out from under the sink, across the kitchen floor. Luckily, there was a drain underneath the washer, in a corner closet at the other end of the kitchen. This was at least channeling the water, rather than flooding the living room or running down the steps to the basement.

        “Did you try to turn off the water taps under the sink?”  

“No,” Sandra said. “I just ran over to your house.”

“Let’s take a look.” Roger quickly glanced through the cupboard door, and saw that the source of the spraying water was above the cold-water tap. He quickly reached in and turned it off, getting wet but stopping the water. 

        “What now?” By now, Sandra was speaking between sobs. 

        “I’m not much of a plumber.” Roger said. “But I have a friend who can make quick work of this.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket.

        “Hello, Howard’s Plumbing, Howard speaking, how can I help you?”

        “Howard, this is Roger. I need your help. My neighbor across the street has a serious leak under her kitchen sink. Do you think you can help her?”

        “Sure, Roger,” Howard replied. “I’m not too far away from your home. I’ll be there in 15 minutes.”

        Roger patted Sandra’s shoulder as he headed toward the front door. “Howard will fix things, and he’s very reasonable with his repair rates. Don’t worry about the towel. Get it back to me when you can.” 

        Sandra managed a smile, when Roger stopped, picked up a broom and began to sweep the remaining water toward the drain in the closet.

        “All done, Ma’am” Howard quipped, as he turned on the cold water tap under the sink and reached up to check the faucet. “It seems to be fine now.”

        By now, Sandra had cleaned up the rest of the mess in the kitchen and had changed out of her wet clothes. “How much do I owe you?” she asked.

        “Nothing, Ma’am, except maybe one of those homemade chocolate-chip cookies.” He pointed to the glass cookie jar on the counter.

        Sandra protested, but Howard kindly refused again, explaining, “Roger saved my bacon, when I was having some big problems. He helped me fix my business.  And he didn’t charge me anything. Helping Roger’s neighbor friend with some minor plumbing is just a small repayment for all he has done for me.” 

        Sandra smiled, another tear forming in the corner of her eye.  “Thank you very much,” She managed to say, reaching for the cookie jar.

        Roger had finally returned to his home office after changing clothes and cleaning up. Now, maybe I can make some progress on my plan, he thought.  But, just as he sat down, the doorbell rang again.

        “Your plumber friend didn’t charge me anything.” Sandra said, as she hugged Roger when he opened the door. She then picked up a plate of cookies from the porch and handed it to him.

        Roger finished off another cookie. He was troubled about Howard’s refusal to accept payment from Sandra. Knowing the fragility of his plumbing business, Roger called Howard’s accountant and made the payment for Sandra’s plumbing work, after making him promise not to bring it up with Howard.

        As Roger cleared the plate of its last cookie, he thought: Maybe now I can start giving some attention to my dream of becoming a light to others.