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This is actually one of the most popular articles on my blog. With more than 1,700 hits since it was first published in May of 2007, perhaps it has to do with the title ‘my 45 minutes with a prostitute’. Many come, expecting a racy account of a sexual encounter with a prostitute. So what was my 45 minutes with a prostitute like? Check it out below…

On my way home from work yesterday, I had a conversation with the most unlikely person: a prostitute. She was sitting right next to me on the train.

There I was, minding my business, reading, while at the same time, jamming to Marroon Five’s ‘Makes Me Wonder’ (hot track!) and in the right corner of my eye I see a hand reaching out to me.

She introduces herself: “Hi, my name is Taje” (pronounced Tar-jaeh). “Oh kay” (I replied, while taking my earbuds out), “I am Akhenaton, it’s a pleasure to meet you!”.

I smiled, however, the reciprocated expression was that of poignance. Sucker to charm I am, I asked her what was wrong and offered a listening ear. “My pimp put me in these ugly clothes and I’m mad at him!”. “Your pimp?” I retorted with an inquisitive stare (you know, the I want to know more stare).

The next 45 minutes of our train ride was like one of those Dr. Love radio shows; me asking her a bunch of questions about her life and in between talking about my life experiences or giving advice on a few problems she had.

Typically, I’d shy away from unpleasant odors, but the smell of alcohol and residual cigarette smoke on her breath did not put a damper on the hearty and sometimes solemn discussion that we had.

At the end of our conversation, she thanked me for taking the time to listen, for smiling and for being so nice to her. You see, the night before, she was beaten by her pimp, she was abused and neglected by her parents as a child, had been ‘clean’ from cocaine for two weeks and was happy to get this all ‘off her chest’.

It’s amazing how God uses instances such as this to change our perceptions of people. There I was, having a conversation with a 35 year old prostitute who turned out to be a very nice person, just needing to be pointed in the right direction.

God allowed me to see beyond the label ‘prostitute’; I saw a child of God that is not worth any less than I am in His sight.

Galatians 3:28 paraphrased: In Him, the distinctions between prostitute or virgin, drug addict or Jesus addict, homeless or wealthy DISAPPEAR; you are all ONE in Christ Jesus!

I challenge you today to plant a seed of God’s love in the heart of one of society’s outcasts this coming weekend.

Akhenaton

mail@pharaohsprotege.com