“Good morning, Mr Loh!”

Loh, in his 50s, was demoted from Managing Director’s personal chauffeur to a dispatch. He was disgruntled, bitter and never looked you in his eyes when he talked to you. Of course, he never returned any greetings. He was rejected by many departments, and finally ended up in ours, not by choice, ours nor his. We were supposed to be a very friendly department handling public and employee relations, but we decided not to be friendly to him because it was just too challenging and time consuming. Moreover, we had other “priorities” and he was just an “insignificant” (and “irritating”!) low ranking worker. We had to watch our “ROI” (return-on-investment)!

One fine day, a new Manager joined our department. Audrey was friendly, bubbly and good at her work. She started greeting Loh every morning and addressed him as “Mr Loh”, cheerfully and joyously. Mr Loh, as usual, did not reciprocate. He would look down and walk past Audrey whilst she said “Good Morning Mr Loh! ” every morning.

As he continued to ignore her, she persisted. We gave our “expert” advice to Audrey and “encouraged” her to give up. After all, we had so many unpleasant incidents and experiences about Loh to talk about! Audrey did not give up. She went on each morning, without fail, to greet Mr Loh a good morning, cheerfully and joyously. Just like how she would greet every one else.

Then one fine day, Audrey came running to us, excitedly, saying that Mr Loh nodded and responded to her greeting! She was truly delighted. We thought she was pretty crazy to be happy over such a matter.

After some time, Audrey came to us, this time very excitedly, saying that Mr Loh said good morning to her, with his head down as usual, but Audrey did not mind that. She was simply overjoyed with the response she received. Frankly, we were not interested in the “story” any more. After all, he was just an “insignificant” dispatch whom we had no time for!

However, Audrey continued each morning with her “Good Morning Mr Loh! “, cheerfully and joyously. Then the day came when she said she was leaving the company for some Christian mission work outside Singapore. Oh, Audrey was a Christian. “No wonder lah!” were the positive remarks from people in the office. Audrey was indeed well-liked by many because of her good testimony. She did not preach nor “force” her belief and faith unto any of us. She just showed love and patience, consistently.

I couldn’t remember if Mr Loh had eventually looked into Audrey’s eye to greet her but I was touched by Audrey’s love and persistence to reach out to an “insignificant” & “irritating” worker in the office. This little episode had happened more than 21 years ago but it left an impression in my heart upto this day. I was not a Christian then but I liked Audrey. She had “joy and peace that passes understanding”. Now, I know where her sweet “nature” and forgiving attitude came from.

I don’t know if Mr Loh ever became a follower of Christ but I trust that the seed that God used through Audrey’s testimony, persistence and faithful morning greetings to plant in his heart will reap some day.