The Power of Conversation

I got my bag from baggage claim, and as I approached ground transportation, my palms were noticeably clammy. When traveling alone, I get nervous about having to take a taxi or Uber by myself in a new and unfamiliar city.

I assessed my options as I stood in ground transportation. Option 1: Uber. Option 2: Local Shuttle Service. I opted for the shuttle service, thinking that I may get lucky and get to share a shuttle with another weary traveler. My anxiety subsided for a moment.

And then up pulls a 15-passenger van. No other passengers in sight. Ugh. The driver stepped out of the van to help me with my suitcase, a kind gentleman with a strong accent of foreign descent.

Coincidentally, on the plane I had just been reading Heather Holleman’s book Six Conversations: Pathways to Connecting in an Age of Isolation and Incivility.

In that moment, as much as my introvert-nature wanted to get in that van, put on my best ‘I don’t want to talk face,’ and get to the hotel as quickly and with as little conversation as possible – I felt the nudge from the Holy Spirit to engage in conversation with my kind driver.

To my surprise, my 20-minute ride went quickly, and in some ways, I wished it was longer. During our conversation, I got the typical run down of what to do in the city and where to eat, but I also got so much more, and I think he did as well.

I believed the best about my driver as I stepped aboard and engaged in conversation. I became curious and expressed genuine interest, and asked questions about his life. And I expressed concern for him as he shared about the struggles he faced living in the United States. [Editor’s note: Words italicized by the author are key points from the book]

I learned about his wife and 8-year-old daughter, whom he missed greatly and hoped could join him soon. I learned that his father had passed recently and how he was grieving this loss and wished he would have shared more with his father before his passing. I learned that he had abandoned his Muslim faith and Halal diet.

I learned about my driver as a human loved by God.

As I debarked from his van, he thanked me for listening and the good conversation. I felt lighter, fulfilled, and grateful for this ride. But later that day and even still today, I wished I would have added one more piece to our conversation.

As I was saying goodbye, he said he hoped heaven was real because life was hard, and much of it had been hell for him. That was my chance to tell him that heaven is real and to share the good news of the gospel, but I froze.

I didn’t get to share the gospel with him, but I did pray for him and continue to do so. I also learned that the power of a good conversation can change someone’s life and brighten mine too.

I may not have shared about the gospel this time, but Dr. Holleman’s book is helping me to overcome my introverted tendencies and have good conversations with the people God places in my life.

Next time, I’ll be ready.