Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Conversation Seasoned With Grace

Yesterday I took a cab home. The driver asked me to guide him as he is new and was not sure which route to take and all. That sparked a conversation between us.

I basically asked where he stayed and he mentioned Serangoon North. As my church is near his estate, I asked further whether his block is near one where my church is involved in a community project running a computer centre. He said his was situated directly opposite the centre.

It was here when I mentioned my church that he shared with me his recent imprisonment of 6 months. He was convicted of a crime for the failure in checking the work permit of an employee in the coffee shop he was running. He told me while serving his term he took the time to read the Bible though he was a free-thinker. I still do not know whether he is one as I did not get the chance to ask further. I also did not want to do so earlier in our conversation as I did not want him to misunderstand that I was trying to convert him.

He went on to say that once in a while he attends services at a church located in the western part of Singapore. He said he likes to go there listening to the testimonies of Christians but remarked that it is a little far from where he stays.

He also testified how God has helped him especially after he was released. Before he was sentenced, he had no clue whatsoever in cooking and he prayed for God to give him this skill as he needed it for his coffee shop business. He tried his hands on cooking and apparently he did well as people love his food especially his fried bee hoon.

Sadly he gave up his coffee shop business which I could not recall the reason for doing so.

Anyway, he went on to apply for a taxi license and it was only recently that he passed the examinations.

Well, before I alighted I gave this gentleman my contact number and also the details of my church services. I also told him I will pray for him as he was feeling a little unwell. After returning my change, we went on our separate ways.

Ten minutes after I arrived home, I received a call and it was the taxi driver. He told me that he did not give me the correct change. He basically short-changed me by S$2.00. I told him it was okay and he said he will return the money the next time we meet. I hope by saying that it would be at the church service this Sunday.

It was a wonderful ride home being able to share with someone more about Christ.

I pray he is better now.

This encounter reminded me once again to make full use of any opportunities to share Christ with those who are interested to know more. :)

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5-6

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