Nigerian Taxi Driver

As he pulled over, his story lightened my heart. His gray hairs marked a man whose face had seen several seasons. To you his dream may be small but he was free from greed. He found his place of contentment and that’s what counts.


The older man had given me such a calm ride to my destination. The city was strange but the cabby man made my nerves calm. We struck off our journey with a heart warming conversation. We touched lightly on politics *for which I am no fan*, then family and faith *yes, please*.

He spoke of his life dreams and how happy he was.

I thought to myself what made a cabby man feel fulfilled with the life he was living now?

That became a learning curve.

You can live a fulfilled life right where you are.


He never asked God to be as rich as any of the biggest billionaires we know. He told me every night he would pray the same prayers. “Dear Lord, if you would, please give me two houses of my own, one in the city and one in my hometown. And see my children through the higher institution. I would be thankful”.

He has four kids, with the last of them in the higher institution. God had granted his request. He wasn’t asking for more. He was content, happy with his wife and kids.

I asked him if having more money meant nothing to him, and he gave me a big laugh.

“Where will all that money be when I am gone?”

To my cabby friend, when your day here is done, all the pursuits, all the chasing and everything one ever acquired would make no sense because you are not leaving with anything.

He just wants a happy, simple and peaceful life. It seems he is already living his dream life.

Well my friend may not be a big dreamer but he is content. That’s a virtue many people lack. As he spoke, one scripture echoed in my heart.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. – I Timothy 6:6.

We have tall dreams, chase it with everything we have but we forget how valuable to be content with today.

We forget the value of living fulfilled right where we are.

We place no value on joy, happiness or family.

You fulfilment starts with everyday gratitude

Fulfilment is finding joy in small tangible or intangible moments.

As he pulled over, his story lightened my heart. His gray hairs marked a man whose face had seen several seasons. To you his dream may be small but he was free from greed. He found his place of contentment and that’s what counts.

At what point would you feel content?

What is your definition of fulfillment?

By His Great Grace,
Ifeoma Samuel

Ifeoma Samuel is an author, blogger and speaker at women’s conferences. She uses her writings to share everyday life stories about God’s immense love, and is the author of My 30 Days Journey To a Fulfilled Life. Visit her blog Purposeful And Meaningful and you can follow her on Pinterest|Google+|Facebook