A Simple Question Can Change A Life

This past week the "Men of Integrity" devotional had readings from Eric Bryant's book "Not Like Me" for us to study and think about. They were all interesting and thought provoking entries but one caught my eye before I read it because if the title. The title for Tuesday's devotion was "I Stole It." Needless to say my desire to read what Eric wrote heightened. He wrote about a time where he stopped for gas late one night. He went in to pay and he asked the thin store clerk with scraggly hair and multiple earrings what he did to pass the time working the night shift. Eric - at first - was just making conversation while he paid. But that question turned out to be a whole lot more. The clerk responded "I've been reading through the Bible.". Eric went in to write that this through him off guard so he asked where has he been reading. The clerk said he started in Genesis and now he is "First Cronthans." Eric figured he was new to the scriptures due to his mispronouncing "Corinthians." He went to ask what he thought of it etc. Then he asked where he got the Bible. The clerk said "I stole it from my friend's dad."
With that question Eric knew this clerk was at least interested in the book he stole, so Eric invited him to continue the conversation later. Eric brought him a bible. A week or two later Eric asked Jason ( the clerk) if he believed in God. Jason said "I never did, but now I know he is real because he is speaking to me through the Bible." And as
time passed they became friends and talked more about the Bible and God. Jason had some issues in his personal life. And the entry does not go on to say how or if he worked some of those out.
This devotion struck me because this guy's life was transformed because a stranger asked a simple question. The answer to that question could have been anything. God led Eric Bryant to that gas station that night and He led him to ask a simple question.
How many times do we pass up an opportunity to make small talk? How many times do we get aggravated at people who make small talk while we are not in the mood?
You never know what a simple question or comment can produce.