An Encounter With A Stranger

On one of the Saturday morning, I have finally decided to go to jog at the Queen’s Lake Park near my neighbourhood after a long wait for my siblings. I tried waking them up, but they continued their sleep. So, I went to jog at the park by myself. I was satisfied with my performance. That was my first run of the year with distance of approximately 3.9 km. Then, I went home right after the run. However, while I was driving back something happened. This elderly lady was standing in the middle of the road, looks like she is asking something from the driver of the car in front of me. But the driver drove off leaving the lady at the road. So, I thought I should do the same but somehow I stopped because if I didn’t stop, I can’t move on as she is standing in the middle of the road. At that moment without realizing that my car windows were down because I usually do that after exercise to get outdoors’ air. Then she asked, “Can you fetch me to market?” (in Cantonese). Before I could answer, she pulled up my car knob from the passenger side, and enters into my car.  My car was locked earlier even though the window was down. Anyway, she entered. I was surprised by her moves because I didn’t expect her to be so daring to do thing like that. I quickly asked her to fasten her seatbelt to be safe. Then she starts telling her story, she told me what happened earlier in the morning. She said, “I tripped while coming down from the bus, so my legs weaken and cannot walk fast.” Then she continued, “By the way my name is Aunt Lily, they called me this name even though I already aged as a grandmother.” I wondered in my heart, “Who are they?” Then she asked whether my name is Margaret. I said no. After that she continued her story as I passed by the Lutheran church nearby my house, she said the only thing that makes her happy or how she lives her life happily because she is entertained by the young people who lead worship every Sunday in the church,  she mentioned a few names of the handsome young men. She persuaded me to join their Sunday English service. I was smiling, and driving thinking, “This lady even at this age, she is serving God, asking people to go to the church. I did mention to her that I stay nearby the church, but I think she didn’t hear me because she continued her story. Then finally she asked what my name is before she gets down from the car. So I answered, “Grace.” She said, “Beautiful name.” This is not the first comment about by name though. Before that my parents’ friend asked for my English name before and she gave the same comment about my name. I shall thank God for guiding me to choose such name for myself. I felt so beautiful in this name (happily laughing at myself). Then she thanked me before she close the car door. During the ride to market, she warned me saying, “Don’t simply put your belongings in the car, later people may just break the window and take your belongings – keys and wallet.” I was thinking, “So kind of her telling this to me. Anyway I have a great God, the God who can protect me wherever I am. And the Spirit in me is greater than the spirit of the world; no one can come against me when God is with me.” I always have this confident that God is always by my side or at least the guardian angels are by my side that nothing can harm me. Thank God for giving this confident to me! She also mentioned that she stayed nearby in the same garden. Suddenly, she asked curiously, "Why are you jogging? You already slim." I simply answered in short, "Oh, this is the first time I jog." (didn't explain much because she didn't ask further, indeed it was my first jog this year.) So, she continued and mentioned that she is diabetic and she took care of herself by controlling her diet and by doing simple exercise like walking.

Until now, I have not known the reason for this encounter so I just post it here. Comments are welcome.