Rose Mary

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-17

About two years back, Hari joined a highly reputed catering organization after successfully completing his graduation from one of the top hotel management institutes in India. Business was brisk and he enjoyed what he did even though he had to work most over weekends and holidays. He was hardly prepared for what he had to face even before he completed his first year in the organization. With the advent of the lockdown era, the organization broke up. Hari knew he was on a sinking boat, and considering the number of catering companies and hotels which were closing shop, his job prospects were bleak. It was time to take a bold decision. Along with a partner, he began his own small catering unit at home. From marketing on social media, to baking and cooking, and home delivering the ordered items, Hari tenaciously built up his business, catering to a niche market where he took small orders for all types of continental delicacies. Now Hari has rented an independent space and has successfully established his brand atleast within his own town limits.

Hari’s example may not be easy to emulate during the best of times. Needless to say, the times are not bright. Everyday we are greeted with news of rising numbers of Covid infections and deaths. Many are on the verge of desperation. Sometimes, the burden of debts and business failures proves to be too much to bear, and people become prone to depressions and mental weaknesses. As Christians we have a role to play in today’s world. Wherever possible, we should be able to encourage people to find their feet and examine the opportunities around them. Sometimes, their financial problems paralyse people into inaction, and into taking desperate measures. A combination of practical help, confidence building and spiritual sustenance will inspire them to get back to a position where they are able to think of practical ways of keeping the hearth burning, even while they deal with the larger financial problems in their life.

We could begin this exercise by examining the opportunities that have mushroomed in different areas. Youtube is crowded with videos of young people from various walks of life, some expressing their viewpoints on political and social issues, and others demonstrating their expertise in a variety of skills that include bee-keeping, cooking, gardening, farming— you name it and it is available online. Those who achieve a sizeable audience become eligible for an income, as advertisers on social media use these forums to reach audience groups. Others use these demonstrations to attract customers for the services they offer in their niche areas.

The transition to virtual tools has considerably reduced advertising costs, and we find housewives have now grabbed this advantage to establish small business pockets selling cakes, or pickles by broadcasting this within the social media groups they belong to. Mothers and grandmothers have successfully started selling their culinary delights online, probably helped by enthusiastic family members. Thus, the glass ceilings of gender and age that confined homemakers into restricted roles, are slowly but surely disappearing.

For those youngsters who do not have the resources and initiative to start their own ventures, another avenue of opportunity has opened up in the business of home delivery services. Whether fulltime or part time, it offers some respite for those who cannot afford to be idle as they try for permanent jobs in their area of expertise. Online tuition services have expanded considerably offering interim opportunities for students of higher education. Those with a flair for web designing and digital marketing also find a growing demand for their services as social media provides the biggest audience.

It would be an act of true Christian love if we could assist those in need to use these opportunities according to the skills and talents they possess. Misfortunes could temporarily have overshadowed their capacity to pick up the pieces and start life afresh. We have a responsibility to bring back hope and zest where all seems to be lost. St Paul, in his letter to the Romans defines the path that leads to true hope “because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” If we have that hope in us, we must find ways to spread that hope among those who need our support.