We
greet people in a number of ways.
Verbally we might say ‘hello’ – a younger generation than me usually
opts for ‘Hi guys’!! Physically we might wave, smile, shake hands or even hug.
When people wore hats more regularly than they do now, one sign of respectful greeting was to ‘doff your cap’!
There is a story from South Africa that goes like this.
One day a white Anglican priest was walking through Soweto and upon passing a young boy out walking with his mother, the priest doffed his clerical hat to the lady.
The young lad was so impressed at such a show of respect to his mum that he subsequently joined the priest’s church and eventually submitted himself for ordination.
When people wore hats more regularly than they do now, one sign of respectful greeting was to ‘doff your cap’!
There is a story from South Africa that goes like this.
One day a white Anglican priest was walking through Soweto and upon passing a young boy out walking with his mother, the priest doffed his clerical hat to the lady.
The young lad was so impressed at such a show of respect to his mum that he subsequently joined the priest’s church and eventually submitted himself for ordination.
History was changed because of this respectful greeting. Small gestures go deep.
In our everyday lives we can offer those small words of encouragement and we can show routine acts of kindness. Such a way of living, bit by bit, builds an atmosphere in a family, community or church, of trust and integrity in which life can flourish. There is, and always has been, a great significance in the ‘small’.
No comments:
Post a Comment