The Sincerity of a Parking Attendant That Warms the Heart

The Sincerity of a Parking Attendant That Warms the Heart

Lubuk Pakam, Deli Serdang—(18/02/25) Under the scorching sun, a parking attendant named Mr. Edward sat pensively by the roadside. His sunburned face and simple clothing reflected the hardships of his life. One afternoon, when Jestham parked her car, a special moment unfolded that would change both their days.

When Jestham attempted to pay the parking fee, Mr. Edward had no change. Rather than asking her to wait or find smaller bills, he sincerely let her leave without payment. This honest and selfless gesture deeply moved Jestham, inspiring her to reciprocate his kindness.

Without hesitation, Jestham invited Mr. Edward to buy groceries to his heart's content at a nearby minimarket. His reaction was profoundly touching. With teary eyes and trembling hands, he couldn't believe such generosity was being shown to him for the first time in his life. Inside the store, he carefully selected basic necessities like rice, cooking oil, instant noodles, and soap, occasionally considering neighbors who might need them more.

As they shopped, Mr. Edward shared stories of his daily struggles. He earned only about IDR 70,000 net per day after paying IDR 50,000 for his official parking permit. This meager income had to support his wife and three children. Often, he endured hunger from morning until evening just to save money.

More heartbreaking were the injustices he frequently faced. Once, simply because he couldn't return IDR 2,000 in change, a motorist spat on him. Others would angrily accuse him of collecting parking fees unlawfully. Yet, with remarkable patience, he chose not to retaliate. His steadfast belief that every good deed would be rewarded sustained him through these trials.

When asked about the secret to his resilience, Mr. Edward credited his faith as his greatest strength. He never missed Sunday worship, trusting that by seeking God first, all his needs would be met. Even on Sundays when he attended church, he still paid his parking permit fee despite not working.

At the end of their meeting, Jestham gave Mr. Edward additional money for his family. Overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes welled up as he accepted this unexpected blessing. With a quivering voice, he expressed how much this day meant to him.

Before parting, Mr. Edward left behind a wise reminder: God always sees every act of human kindness. Even when treated unfairly, what matters is keeping one's heart pure and continuing to do good. "If God cares for the birds in the sky," he said, "how much more will He care for people with minds and hearts?"

May every drop of sweat he sheds, every act of patience he practices, and every kindness he sows be repaid with abundant blessings, good health, and happiness for his family. May God open wider doors of prosperity, elevate his station, and ease all his burdens, just as he has consistently lightened others' loads with his sincere heart.