Riza Fortuna

I was getting a manicure at a beauty parlor and decided to read my newly-bought small red NIV bible to take advantage of the time sitting down. I was reading the book of Acts which is very interesting to me since it shows examples of how Christians should live and preach the gospel. Being absorbed in my reading, I didn’t notice that the young lady sitting beside me, who was also getting her manicure done, was observing me and noticed that I was reading a bible.

Maybe she can no longer contain her curiosity, she turned to me and asked “Is that a bible you are reading?”, and I said “Yes, it is, such a small one, right? “, she nodded in agreement. Then I went on to do small talk. I told her how amused I was to find a copy of the NIV bible so inexpensive and handy, and that I only bought the bible the day before. I also told her I chose the NIV even when it is not a Catholic edition since I am using the NIV study bible in my own personal study, and to me it is easy to understand. I added that I have other versions of the bible including Catholic versions that I use at home. Then she asked, “So you are a Catholic?” and I replied “Yes, I am”. “Isn’t it that only your priests read the bible to you and you don’t read it yourselves?” she further asked. I smiled and said “No, more and more Catholics now read the bible, especially with the renewal movement”. She asked about the renewal and I went on to explain that charismatic Christian communities like the one I belong to are now growing and are recognized by the church as its “assistant” in growing the faith and living the Christian life fully.

Then it was my turn to ask, and I asked her how old she is and what is her religion. She’s only 14 years old, an incoming junior high school student and she is an Adventist. I further asked her on her favorite book and author in the bible and I got the impression that she is familiar with the bible. She likes the book of Revelation because she feels that God is always there for us even at the end of time. She also likes John as author and I said that I share the same opinion since I also like John.

The whole time of our conversation I was smiling and filled with joy. I was pleasantly surprised that such kind of conversation can happen in a beauty parlor. What made me smile more was her realization that Catholics do read their bible. The biggest bonus to me was being able to discuss about God and His word with a teenager. I love talking and being with the young! And talking with them about God is an affirmation from God Himself that I am on the right track in putting Him first in my life and there are a lot of young souls out there that can benefit from my witness.

I praise God for that experience!