“how did your preaching gig go last week?”
that was what one of my new coworkers asked me the other day at work. he’s a dishwasher and a pretty cool guy – but not at all what i expected. the dishers get to listen to music while they work and he’ll crank everything from old honky-tonk country – like patsy cline – to hard rock. he’s got a cool mohawk, dresses in all dark clothing, has several facial piercings but speaks with a very kind voice. its quite the paradox.
he saw me reading the Bible one day at work and scratching down notes and asked me what i was doing. i told him i was going to speak at a college group that week to which he responded… “that’s cool.” a few days later i was reading the Bible off my phone (yes, i know – i have it on my phone and that’s nerdy but its so handy!) and he laughed at the fact that i could read something so tiny. he asked me if i read the Bible often and i told him yes (although during this season thats a stretch). he said he’s read most of it and its got some good stuff in it. i asked him what his favorite parts were. he said he liked John a lot. that the Corinthians had some good stuff in it and that Revelations used to be his favorite…
and before i knew it we were having a discussion about Scripture and religion. he grew up southern baptist. but got into trouble and was in prison for several years. he’s in pre-release for the sixth time (meaning he’s gotten caught with something and sent back) … and this time is actually on the verge of getting out. he just got a cell phone for the first time. he’s about to sign a lease on an apartment. and he’s enjoying all of it.
he wouldn’t call himself a Christian specifically anymore. he’s read a ton on different religions and thinks that all of them hold some good in them. but now… he sticks up for me when others make comments about me reading my Bible in the break room. crazy.
and all the while, i find myself pleasantly surprised at this unexpected friendship with a “hardened criminal” who enjoys reading, can have a great conversation about Scripture, and who thinks its cool that i preach.
That is so cool! I love talking to people about it at work as well. I love the fact that I work with so many different kinds of people at the OG and people have so many different views. It is so refreshing to talk to people that do not simply agree with everything that you say. Great stuff. Love ya.