Front of the Bus

Was surprised when I heard that Phillip had passed away. I remembered him sharing about his life in Myanmar, the day care centre where he goes to while undergoing treatment, his love for guitar playing and his smile but beyond that...nothing else. Did I know what he liked to eat? No. Did I know whether he had any siblings? I forgot. Did I know how he accepted Christ? Do I know his birthday? Didn’t bother asking.

Must he be gone before I spared a portion of my thoughts to think of him? To remise about him so that the feelings of guilt will be placated, as if that would justify my ignorance of him when he was alive and well. How often did I stay at the back of the bus after Edge service while he sat alone at the front? Talking to people that I felt comfortable with instead of making an effort to build a relationship with him. How often did I even notice he was there in the bus or at the Edge service? Maybe I thought he would still be there tomorrow.

I know that Phillip now is in a safe place but is there a possibility that there are others around that I didn’t notice? Others that don’t fit in into the crowd and others who just sit silently there waiting for someone to approach them. To remember them only when they’re gone really speaks about the level of my love for them.

I’m going to the front of the bus….