This last week I had the gift of being on vacation…interesting – a journey from the Caribbean to blizzard Benedict. Oh well, keeps one humble and real….
Antigua is such a beautiful paradise, but it is a poor island with 20% unemployment. People struggle to find any kind of work which will allow them to feed their families, many of which are quite large. While on the way to the beach, we rode in a taxi with about 20 others. These taxis are open air van type and the drivers often just drive to the beach and back each day. Their fees are set and they rely heavily on the tips of those kind enough to give a little extra. Often, they have microphones and they speak about the different sites along the way. As he was telling us about his beautiful island, the conversation changed….
He told us that he is blessed with 10 children. He was able to save enough to buy this taxi and he works six days a week. “God gives me six days and I give him the seventh”. He was offered a job on Sundays but he refused. “Sunday is the Lord’s Day and I give that day to him”.
“God gives me six days, and I give the seventh to him,” he said as he smiled and drove through the streets of Antigua. I don’t know what they had for dinner that night, or if they have any money in the bank, but I did learn from that man, what it means to be rich.
Reflections on the Journey 
I’d say that man definitely has his priorities right!
Happy New Year Andie!
I agree Sonja, something for us all to think about. Happy New Year to you.
So good to have you back, Andie!
So you were nearly in my neck of woods (the Caribbean). Your encounter was Godde-given, one of those small miracles that set our priorities right.
For having lived in developing countries, I have encountered many people like your sunny taxi-driver. I always find it an encounter with the Spirit, an invitation to change. I just seem to take forever to do so.
So true Claire. There is much wisdom in the everyday if we have the ears to listen. It was wonderful for me to hear that from our taxi-driver. Godde’s invitation comes from the most interesting places..
True riches, indeed … good to have you back again.
Thanks Sue – good to be back
I have been blessed to be able to travel all over the Caribbean and the story you relate is very common in all the islands. I’m not sure why except that they seem to focus on the true meaning of living a good life and not worry about the rest – at least the way we here in the “world of material riches” do.
You’re right Kris. And to think, many don’t know where their next meal will come from, but they trust. A lesson for me.
Thank you for praying for me when I was not well.
God bless.
Victor, you were missed. I hope that all of your health problems are behind you. Looking forward to reading and listening to your posts.
Welcome back – I see not only did you travel, but you discovered the real treasures available for you to encounter there. God bless you! You were missed!
Thank you Fran, such kind words. Yes, God blessed me to meet good people with great priorities.
What an inspirational post! Isn’t it great when you receive such a wonderful lesson when you least expect it??
Hope you had a nice vacation!
God Bless, and welcome back.
How beautiful that he said he was “blessed with ten children”, as well as him giving the seventh day back to God , shows that he does indeed know what it means to be rich!
Such an uplifting post. Thank you and welcome back Andie.
Andie: Great to have you back and as usual very inspiring post. What it means to be rich! Love it……
Great post. Mother Teresa talks about the poverty in the US being much harder to cure than that of third world countries…”The most terrible poverty is loneliness…and the feeling of being unloved.”
Welcome back Andie. Thanks for sharing this story with us. It’s such a blessing to read it.