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| Team Jesus |
You
find the most interesting people selling things outside of supermarkets, at
least hubby and I do. Last Saturday was
no different.
When
we entered the building storefront as usual it was clear, easy access with no
one parading near the walkways pedaling merchandise. How quickly things change in a short time.
While
leaving the store to our left I saw a boy wearing a tee-shirt with “Team Jesus”
printed on the front. Now that got
my attention, and out of curiosity you know I couldn't help but wonder what
this kid was selling.
I
continued to the left while hubby kept going straight toward the parking lot. Yep … she did it again! It’s the story of his life my husband tells me! He turns around and I’m nowhere to be found.
Realizing
that I wasn’t behind him hubby makes an about face only to find me already engaged in a conversation with the
young man. This wasn’t my husband’s
first rodeo for this sort of thing. He
absolutely recognizes the equation:
Teacher Meets Kid + Jesus + Curiosity = Prepare for
Anything!
Knowing
me this could take a while, so he backed up to a pole, braced his foot on the
cart and settled in for what he knew would be a long wait.
Sign,
sign, everywhere – no signs
Walking
toward the teen I noticed a display behind him. It held intricately carved and
painted wooden crosses. They were designed in three specific sizes some bearing
inspirational sayings like “hope” or the “cowboys prayer”, and others with
spiritual quotes or references from the Bible.
Nonchalantly
circling around the oversized cross presentation, I baited the seller with
questions appropriate for the situation as a perspective buyer. Okay … he never saw it coming.
Some
questions were about the well-crafted merchandise but my main interest was, “Who was he representing?” Sure, he had a sales pitch but the large four-sided
wired exhibit had no sign anywhere on it.
What was this all about, and why a cross?
Not
long into our conversation I learned the names of the crew that were sent out on
a mission to sell crosses that day.
There were four people representing a men’s discipleship ministry from
Texas aging from 16 – 40. Two were
stationed at each entrance of the building.
When
I asked about the lack of a sign, the sixteen-year-old member (who was in
charge of this end of the marketing) explained that his boss said, “The work of the cross is all they needed.” I couldn’t disagree with the statement, but
the actual identification of the discipleship program was indeed different if
he wanted to sell anything ‘round these
parts (in our city anyway).
Contradicting
his rebuttal, I pled the case that a
sign would increase sales by reinforcing the point that I didn't even notice
the crosses, but his shirt was the
drawing point to his display. People
want to know about the place or cause in which they put their money.
Although
I’m not a Texan, it didn’t take long for me to lasso hubby into the
situation. He should have known better
being married to me! We were in this for
the long haul … or at least until one of us learned our part in showing favor
to these travelers to this fine state!
Around
two hours into our conversation we had met the entire crew and heard their
inspiring testimonies of how the cross of Jesus delivered them out of their
addictions and tragic lifestyles. Now we knew something about the program and
why the handmade crosses were so important to each of them. A sign would have given information, but
their words spoke the message of the crosses they were boasting.
Sharing
Living Water
During
our what might have looked like a vigil of sorts, when leaving the store an
elderly lady came up to us and said she had noticed the boys standing in the
sweltering heat without anything to drink.
“I have sons … I’m
going to get you some water.”
Turning
around she marched right back into the store purchasing a 24 pack (case) of
water and returned a few minutes later toting it in her arms. When I expressed my feelings about her
kindness it was as if a confess all switch had been turned on and soon we
learned why.
“My sister served the
Lord and just passed away. You don’t know how long you have so I figured I
better get doing it ….”
She
didn’t stop there but went on inviting us to meetings a local church was
holding over the next few days. Not only
was she seeking to serve by showing favor in blessing the men with fresh
drinking water for their earthly bodies, but the message of the spiritual Living Water found only through Jesus
was pouring out of her mouth.
Nothing
but the Cross
Feeling
comfortable in our short fellowship with the “new disciples,” as we learned more about each young man I asked some
rather innocent but obvious questions concerning basic equipment needed to carry
out this ministerial task effectively.
I
asked questions like:
“Why are there no
umbrellas or coverings to protect you from the scorching hot 99-degree weather?
… and
“You serve standing outdoors at each entrance for twelve hours. Why are there no
chairs to sit and rest throughout the day?
Tris,
the youngest
of the group, explained that they were told that it would give an impression to
the public of “laziness”, therefore – no chairs, no umbrella and apparently
nothing but the “cross” to carry them through the day.
As
he was telling the reason behind all they were or weren’t doing, one of the men
came over and pulled out the money from a plastic container that was placed at the foot of the cross rack.
I
couldn’t dispute his statement “nothing but the cross” either, however based on experience suggested to Dan
that he
leave something in the money jar to encourage people to give into their
cause. He took my advice and threw a
few bucks back into the pail.
Not
long after that a lady came from the other side of the building pushing a
shopping cart. She stopped and removed one of the crosses from its position on the rack.
“I like this one. How much is it?
Dan
quickly replied, “That one is $35.00.”
“I don’t know if I have
that much cash on me.”
Supporting
her purse on the handle of the cart she began thumbing through her wallet
looking for the appropriate amount of funds for the item. I couldn’t help hearing the exchange in
dialog and kept silent as the servants of God made their pitch.
With
a gleam in her eye she smiled as if she didn’t really expect an answer, saying to the boys who didn’t look prepared for anything …
“I suppose you don’t
take debits do you?”
Without
giving her a moment to change her mind, grabbing the cross out of her hand Dan
joyfully announced, “Why yes, yes we do.”
Sale! Turning her cart around she followed him back
to where the debit machine was located at the other entrance! Nothing but the cross for this customer.
While
Dan was off making a sale, I asked Blu what they do about eating and if they took
breaks throughout the day. Tris assured
me that they took breaks if needed and that they would eat later. That’s when both my husband and I knew how
God would have us care for these boys to men disciples in new ministry.
"... that there should be no schism (division) in the body (of Christ),
but that the members (believers) should have the same care for one another." (1 Corinthians 12:25 NKJV)
Until next time, there’s favor at the cross!
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noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s) privacy.
Maybe
you don’t know the Living God that I know but would like to have this kind of
favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more
information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Note: Emphasis may be given in some scriptures to show clarity or understanding and is not to take away from the inspirited Word of God.
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Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
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