by Demi Prentiss

In the last week I’ve encountered two stories on the internet that spoke to me in a new way. The first, usually titled “The Last Cab Ride,”  been making the rounds since about 1999, according to Snopes, which puts it in the “glurge” category for its “feel good” quality. The author, Kent Nerburn, calls it “The Cab Ride I’ll Never Forget.” He tells the apparently autobiographical story of setting aside his own agenda in favor of the needs of a troublesome rider.

The second, “Being Generous Even On My Worst Day,” showed up in Episcopal Church Foundation’s Vital Posts blog. In spite of its title and being published in this season, it’s not an annual stewardship campaign pitch. Jeremiah Sierra, the author, instead talks about the transformative effect of being “stewards of our good will and the time we take to understand each other.”

Both of the authors make their way in the world in secular settings, though I’m inclined to think they would describe themselves as walking a spiritual path. Nerburn explicitly names his stint cab-driving as a ministry. Sierra, managing editor of Trinity News magazine, helps us see what “loving our neighbors as ourselves” really looks like.

Would these authors name writing or cab driving or editing as their baptismal calling? Perhaps not. But they would likely acknowledge that, with God’s help, their everyday work, at least every once in a while, has given them the opportunity to take action that has transforming results – in other words, to do God’s work.