The Tissue Lady and Pashmina

Saturday, 19th Dec 2009. I was doing Christmas shoppink in Bugis Junction for family & friends. It was packed with people! When I was crossing the street from Bugis Junction to Bugis Village, there was an old lady who’s selling tissues. It was a bit drizzling outside and my mind got caught in finding the best Christmas presents the fastest I can, so I didn’t really pay attention to my surroundings. I just walked passed her when she first offered me those tissues.

An hour later, I came out from Bugis Village feeling good, successfully got the things I wanted to buy within my budget. When I crossed the street back to Bugis Junction, the lady was still there and she came to approach me again. This time, I say no again…. But just 1 second after I passed her, this thought came to mind, hey I need tissues! I forgot to bring some, and it would be nice to help that lady.

Ok, so I returned to her and said, “duo shao? (how much)” and she replied, “1 kuai (1 dollar)”. ok, got three pack of tissues. "Xie, xie" she said again. Then, as I was walking around Bugis Junction again to continue my shopping spree, the scene with the lady just now broke my heart, I just realized how pitiful this lady was! and the next moment, the Lord whispered an idea, what if you buy her a Christmas present? My heart was thumping hard. Altho my heart was telling me “yes yes bless her”, my mind was battling back “hey, what if people see you? there are so many ppl roaming down that street. Aren’t you going to feel embarrassed?” I was so uneasy. There were still a couple things I need to buy for my relatives, but I couldn’t get myself thinking properly. Kept walking back and forth shops without direction. My toes were hurting from walking non-stop for 5 hours. So I decided to sit down at a coffee shop nearby to clear my mind. It was 5:45pm, and I reflected on what had happened.

I ordered a bowl of chestnut ice cream with honey and a toast. While waiting, I slowly opened a book I’ve been reading since that morning, “Always Enough” by Heidi& Rolland Baker, and began to read. It was written, “I (Heidi) always wanted to know people on the inside. What were they really like underneath their style and finery, or their rags and wrinkles? How could I love them genuinely, without pretense? How could I get past all the teenage sham and social maneuvering I saw growing up in a privilege community on the beach in Southern California? I was drawn to the less popular, the less beautiful, those who were left out and ignored. I wanted to sit with the lonely and forgotten and hear their stories.”

I wept. And I prayed, “Lord, show me Your heart. Forgive me for forgetting to see You in these people. Give me an opportunity Lord, to show Your love to them, because You love them. and show me how.”


As soon as I finished my ice cream and paid for it, I started walking again to look for a present for this tissue lady, and the Holy Spirit amazingly guided me what to buy and what to say to the lady. I stopped by a mini pashmina stall in Bugis Junction, and selected 2 pieces, one for my grandma, and one for this tissue lady. The shop girl was nice, she wrapped them in a nice floral wrapping paper and a matching floral plastic bag. God bless her.

Then I remembered, she must be hungry for standing all day outside. I quickly rushed down to the basement floor to look for a bread store. Good, there’s Four Leaves. Croissant? Sausage? hmm..i don’t think old ppl really like those things. Ah, Char Siew Paw! Perfect! :) Then I grabbed a floss chicken bread from the shelves for my own breakfast tomorrow. Gave a $2 bill to the cashier, and then ran up the escalator with 5 shopping bags* what a good cardio exercise*. I glanced to my cellphone for a bit, Oh man, it’s 6.30pm! Oh, I hope she hasn’t leave that place yet! Ive gotta give this present for her today, or else I’ll regret it later! walk faster, walk faster Gita…

Alrite, I’m in front of TOPMAN store now, it’s getting closer to where she is. Lord! There are so many ppl! But then I quickly say a prayer to the Lord to strengthen my heart. I slowly walked towards her, and finally tapped her at her back. I passed her the gift bag, and told her in my poor Chinese, “Popo, Sheng Dan Kuai Le. Cu Yesu ai ni (Grandma, Merry Christmas. The Lord Jesus loves you).” The lady was a bit surprised, and replied in Chinese, “What is this that you’re giving me? Oh, oh, Jesus loves you too! Thank you ,Thank you!” and I just smiled, then said bye bye cos someone else was already waiting to buy her tissues.

Whoa… there was mixed feelings as I made my way back to Bugis Junction to finish my last shopping round. JOY, inexpressible. I almost teared up. It was so simple, yet I felt so relieved. Thank God, I didn’t miss the opportunity. Glad I took that step of faith. No regrets, just peace.

It was the first time I had ever given a present for a stranger out of the blue, as an obedient response to the Lord’s touch. I’m so happy. I think the Lord is happy too. Then a Scripture quote from 1 Cor 13 crossed my mind, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” The Lord reminded me, if I decided to help that lady merely out of humanity sake, and did not originate from God’s love, I am nothing. It wouldn’t count for eternity. Our motives gotta be right. It shouldn’t be just for a good cause, but for the Lord. Anybody can just give that lady a gift, but the Lord sees our heart more than anything. Cause everything started with Him, and for Him. Human affections can only go so far, but God’s love is infinite. It transcends all things. It’s AGAPE.

1 Sam 16:7 will be my prayer onwards,
"Lord, help me see people beyond the obvious, the outward appearance, the credentials. Cos it's the heart that matters most to You."

Merry Christmas everyone! :)