The French Connection

"Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." - Jesus

As we climbed the stairs last week in the bustling Chatelet metro station in the heart of Paris, I clutched my suitcase and moved my wallet from a hip pocket to a front one - just to be safe.

Up since 5:00 a.m. that day, Jennifer and I had literally been on planes, trains and automobiles for hours. By early afternoon, we were weary.

At the top of the stairs, I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turned to face a middle-aged French woman who had chased me up the stairs. She handed me a ten euro bill (worth about $12.00) that had fallen out of my pants when I moved my wallet. I had forgotten it was there. I could barely thank her before she darted back down the stairs and out of sight.

I was startled and, I confess, ashamed. I have had a poor opinion of the French for years. I have told many people that Frenchmen are rude, arrogant and impatient with foreigners. I have said that somewhere there must be nice French people but I did not know where. When bad things happened to France, I assumed the country deserved it. I rather enjoyed disliking the French.

Last week, one woman's simple gesture in a Paris metro station changed all that.

After that moment I began to look for signs that my opinion of the French was wrong, and I quickly proved that we do find what we look for. Acts of kindness were everywhere. Many French people helped us. They were warm and friendly. Their hospitality touched us.

A market vendor left his stall to find and give my friend the fruit he had paid for but left behind. A merchant lowered her price for me when I did not have change. And we visited a seldom-noticed rural Normandy village of 48 people who paid thousands of dollars for a stained glass memorial to honor Americans who helped liberate their city sixty years ago.

By the end of the week I was telling people that perhaps somewhere there are rude French people but I do not know where.

One person often speaks for the whole. Notice how often we form our opinions of entire stores, restaurants, churches or countries by the way only one person behaves.

What about you? What do your actions teach people about your family, your neighborhood, your church, your God? You represent many things much bigger than you, you know. On any day people may decide about those things solely by watching you. Your actions shout.

Do you know the primary reason people decide to be Christian? They know a Christian. Know the primary reason people decide not to be Christian? Same reason.

Gary and Jennifer Williams
Florence Bible School
Italy