Skip to main content

Spiritual Sundays ~ Got Coffee?


It was early Sunday morning and much of our town wasn’t up yet. We stopped the car suddenly when we saw her. She pushed aside the boxes in the back seat and climbed in and thanked us for rescuing her from the cold. We talked a little bit during the drive. So you’re on your way to town heading for church” she said. “Why do you go to church?”
I paused, realizing that she was dead serious.

I've been thinking about this middle-aged hitchhiker whom we met last week. Her slacks were worn and her big sweater wasn’t adequate enough for the cold morning. I was glad we could give her a lift. Rarely am I ever face to face with someone who has never been to church. Her question caught me off guard.

I thought about this…Why do I go to church? I go to worship God. He saved my life; I need Him and want to sing Him my praises. The Bible teachings are inspirational and measured with a plumb line of accurate biblical truth. I need direction for my life! The love of God flows through the people who congregate there and I feel a sense of closeness to them. I feel love for them, too. I need to be with God-fearing people. This world is crazy.

So how do I communicate this to this woman who has never experienced a church service and, further, never experienced a personal Jesus? I kept it simple saying that the service will revolve around a biblical teaching and it lasts about an hour and a half. Would you like to go with us? Her response tickled me: “Do they have coffee there?” Her greatest need was warmth. She was freezing!

No, she didn’t take us up on our offer to spend the next few hours with us in church; she wanted coffee at the mercantile. Church may be too scary for some, but Jesus is what everyone needs!
And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:17

Spiritual Sundays is hosted by Charlotte and Ginger.

Comments

  1. DeniseJanuary 9, 2010 at 10:10 PM

    Thanks for sharing, be blessed.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nikki (Sarah)January 10, 2010 at 5:25 AM

    wow Saleslady, loved this. Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  3. DebbieJanuary 10, 2010 at 6:37 AM

    Who knows what seed you planted...great story...Blessings, Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2010 at 7:06 AM

    Even though she did not join you for church, the seed was planted.
    She saw Jesus in you. I would be scared to pick up a hitchhiker but obviously, the Holy Spirit was prompting you to do so. Alleluia. Amen.

    ReplyDelete
  5. SmilingSallyJanuary 10, 2010 at 7:28 AM

    LOL My church has coffee! I've always thought that it was unnecessary, but today I understand. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. rcubesJanuary 10, 2010 at 12:09 PM

    She might not have gotten the coffee from church but she definitely received some warmth from the love you had shared with her. Just praying that it won't die down and would make her change her mind next time you come across her path...God willing. She will long for God's love instead of coffee next time around. With your brief encounter, God will do the rest...Love and blessings to you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Musings of A MinisterJanuary 10, 2010 at 12:35 PM

    Good post. Thanks for sharing your experience and your words of wisdom concerning going to church.

    ReplyDelete
  8. nannykimJanuary 10, 2010 at 1:27 PM

    It is a good question to think about--the generation that is in their 20's and 30's have often left off going to church. Somehow we have failed to teach them or something? At times I do think there has been a feminizing of the church and it has failed to provide for the men in an adequate way. ..and yet our main purpose is to worship God with other believers and to encourage each other as the body of Christ. I think it is important that the church is about relationships God-ward and man-word...

    ReplyDelete
  9. ReneeJanuary 10, 2010 at 1:53 PM

    How wonderful you were able to witness ever so gently with this woman...planting seeds and showing the love of Christ in offering her a ride and answers to her questions. Thank you for sharing this...God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  10. CharlotteJanuary 10, 2010 at 3:37 PM

    This experience was a blessing for you and for her. Hopefully she will give it a lot of thought in the future. Who knows, maybe this was God's way of showing his love to her through you. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think it is true. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ginger~~Enchanting CottageJanuary 10, 2010 at 5:58 PM

    I'm sure that you said something that would bring her to contemplate her citation. I would of been off guard as well.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  12. christy roseJanuary 10, 2010 at 7:38 PM

    What a great question for everyone that goes to church to ponder. What is the reason? hmmmm

    I wonder if she was an angel. Did you entertain an angel this day? With a question from the Lord? hmmmmm :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. CathyJanuary 10, 2010 at 8:47 PM

    Thanks for sharing that, Dear. Blessings ~

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dayle ~ A Collection of DaysJanuary 11, 2010 at 4:16 PM

    I'm a sinner saved by grace. You planted a seed.

    ReplyDelete
  15. KayJanuary 12, 2010 at 6:44 AM

    Doesn't God present us with some of the most interesting tasks? Thank you for being obedient in so many ways, Mary! I've always said ... as a church/christian, if we find a need and MEET IT, they have seen the face of God. The rest is up to God! Love you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Peter StoneJanuary 13, 2010 at 3:14 AM

    Hey Mary,
    You planted a seed there, and the Lord can do amazing things with seeds.
    Sounds like you guys are having some winter over there! I just got back from Japan, so from almost freezing winter to scorching summer over night!
    God bless
    Peter

    ReplyDelete
  17. JackieJanuary 14, 2010 at 11:12 AM

    Oh, yes - seeds were planted and He will send someone else to water. Maybe the person at the coffee shop was the next Divinely ordered laborer in her path!

    Thanks for sharing!

    He is Faithful!
    Jackie

    ReplyDelete
  18. prashantJanuary 22, 2010 at 4:48 AM

    great story...Blessings

    Work from home

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street...
26 comments
Read more

Lunch With the Girls on Gurley Street

While vacuuming a few days ago, I had a conversation with myself wondering if I should delete my blog. It was just a stray thought that came into my head while I was on a self pity trip. When life gets hard, I don’t always feel like rejoicing and with a blog dedicated to smiling in life, well it is just too much pressure! Then something wonderful happened. I am smiling again and can’t wait to write about it! Two precious sisters-in-Christ, amazing Arizona bloggers from the valley, drove up north and offered mega doses of encouragement. Today I would like to feature the wonderful afternoon I spent in Prescott with Debbie from Heart Choices and Kathleen from Sassy Granny. Debbie and I met last year at a blogger luncheon, so I knew this charming lady would have us laughing with her friendly ease. She is beautiful inside and out and oh, what a heart of love this gal has! It was such a blessing to meet Kathleen in person after following her blog this past year. I was su...
23 comments
Read more

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...
21 comments
Read more