I was in library this last week, accessing the privilege that few in our world have—a computer.
I scarcely spent three minutes when a Lady came in to sit by my side. My senses suddenly became super sensitive. I was overwhelmed by my emotions. Sitting beside me was the archetypal “bag lady.” Her earthly possessions were on a wheel of nylons between us. Her journeys and travails made it difficult to guess her age. What was left of her teeth was a vestige of what was.
My first sensation was the smell. Simply all consuming! Sweat and urine from many days past; droppings not fully wiped after visiting the park toilet? The fragrance was uniquely hers, unforgettable.
Oblivious of my confusion, she sat beside me, using the gift of the people to the public.
I scanned the room with the speed of a trapped animal. Ten other PCs were free, unused, available! I don’t have to put up with this; I can cut and run.
A quiet hand tugged, urging me to share the beauty of the moment. Repulsive beauty. So, I sat and savored this masterpiece. I felt like I was being spited by the one who compelled me to stay. But stay and savor I did, confused.
You know Me, don’t you? I felt my ears eerily pulled. You stink too you know. He said it… yes I know it’s Him! You stink…. all of you… all of you stink, the Shepherd said, but I share your stink. I do not turn away.
By now I wanted to be friends with “My Lady” who threw off heavy fragrances. My hello went unanswered, however, and my smiles unnoticed. I was like a foolish teenager doing prankish stuff to attract his first love. She was too good for me… you could see it in her demeanor. She did not even deign me a word.
I finished my computer time, and rose to go. My Lady noticed that my time was up. With a slight imperceptible raise of the head, she finally acknowledged my presence. “Do not move too fast young man,” she seemed to say. “My eyes may yet catch your fancy. Try harder next time.”
I left knowing I had been marked. I had an acquaintance in my Lady. Maybe one day she will let me into her world. Maybe one day we will sit and talk in the park. When that day comes, I will know I have been helped. My Lady is not a smell. My Lady is a Story, A Journey, A Voyage. I sensed bravery, and boldness and chivalry. I sensed innovation and survival.
I sensed grace. Maybe one day I will be allowed to know it firsthand, by “My Fair Lady.”
Oluwasayo Ajiboye
A new resident of Bellevue WA, at the edge of Seattle.
Sayo’s journey started in Africa and has gone round the world.
He counts poor Uncle Bill (Gates) and many like his “Fair Lady” as neighbors. He wants to get to know them all.
Comments (4)
I know Pastor Sayo Ajiboye very well for his integrity and honesty. He taught me in Singapore in the School of Leadership in 2006. He is a man of simplicity and humility. I believe God wants to teach him further lessons on humility and love. This is unconditional love called agape; not the 'love' or lust of this filthy world. We also should learn from this.
All said and done, it is a remembrance that no one is better than his or her neighbour.....it is all by God's grace and mercies we are what we are. No one has the right to choose his or her nationality, race, colour, look, etc. We all have the same blood in us. How about that?
John Ekundayo
Cornerstone Community Church,
Singapore SE Asia.
Posted by Pastor John Ekundayo | December 3, 2007 8:44 AM
Posted on December 3, 2007 08:44
Imago Dei
God made human being in His image. He did not only make the fortunate, the rich, the well-spoken ones...God made people in his image. And when we see more of God in ourselves and less in our neighbour, a problem arises - image of God is suddently not enough. It also needs to be a good image. It needs to be the best and most purified image of God. Shame on me not to see my neighbour as Gods creation - a pure image of God.
Posted by Benjamin Bach | December 4, 2007 1:29 AM
Posted on December 4, 2007 01:29
I have known Pastor Sayo Ajiboye since 2000 when we met at Billy Graham's Evangelism 2000 conference in Amsterdam. He has stayed in my home for 9 weeks, and I have come to know him as a godly man with a fine mind and a heart as big as his continent.
This is a wonderful piece of writing and a challenge to all of us, particularly to me today. I am struggling dealing with a case of scabies that was probably brought into my home by a Romanian gypsy woman I have been working with. She, too, has her own "aroma" though I doubt it is as ripe as Sayo's fair lady's. I have been itching a lot and it is uncomfortable, and now that I have found what the source is, I am faced with a huge laundry task in a small Romanian apartment with no dryer in a cold winter. Everything will have to be ironed to kill the mites. What do I say to Nadia the next time she comes for lessons? She lives in far worse conditions than I, without running water. How will she cope with the condition in her house? Shall I loan her my iron, and teach her how to use it? Hmmm. What would Jesus do?
Posted by Jennifer Whitman | December 4, 2007 3:16 AM
Posted on December 4, 2007 03:16
You will find pastor sayo's fair lady at street corners in large cities of the world, but most times, if you look closer, you wil find they are just a few metres or even steps away from the church ( the institution , and the individual believer).Remember the man with a urgly situation by the temple gate called beautuful in the book of Acts 3?
Its amazing that many times, those of us saved by grace have responded not like the LORD who called us by His grace- we turn and look the other way, we search for a place where we can do "ministry" without the smell and "missions" without the stain. Many of us are probably worse than Pasor Sayo's fair lady before God's grace washed us clean and made us whole.
God is teaching us through pastor sayo's expeince to humble and always take a closer look. Even when we can not help the situation, the state of our heart influences our attitude and actions to the fair ladies of this world.
I have had similar experince. I pastor a small church in the heart of the Federal capital of Nigeria, Abuja. To the right of the alter where i stand to minister every Sunday is a beautiful Town, where the rich and powerful live and do business. To the left is a sorry sight, where you witness extreme poverty, sickness and deprivation. My church structure stands between the rich and the poor. A closer look at the community of the poor and afflicted, and you will see that they are survivors, they all have a story to tell. Many of them are poor in this world but rich in faith (James 2:5). Its sad for me to hear BELIVERS, who were saved by grace refer to them as .....I cant even say it...LORD HAVE MERCY!!It is my prayer that God gives us the grace and wisdom to reach the rich and the poor of this world. jesus Christ died for ALL MEN
I thank God for the life of pastor sayo. He's style of ministry, passion for service, love for the Son of God and heart of humility has been a blessing to my life for over a decade since i met him during my university years in the city of Ilorin, Nigeria. God bless his heart.
Akindeji Falaki
His Grace Assembly, Abuja
Posted by Akindeji Falaki | December 4, 2007 5:38 AM
Posted on December 4, 2007 05:38