A Changed Life

 “Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance.”                                                       

-Mother Teresa

                                                                      
  

          A rough looking man with a long gray ponytail approached me. I was volunteering at the Guest Information table in the lobby of the high school where our church meets.

Looking at the stack of CDs on the table, he asked,

“Do you have last week’s sermon?”

“I’m sorry, we are all out of that one.” I said. “You can watch the sermon online at the website though.” I offered to him.

“Nah, I don’t have a computer.” He said, noticeably disappointed.

“Last week, I was high when I got here and can’t really remember what the preacher said. But I knew I needed to come back here. Now I am wondering what he said that made me have to come back.”

         The previous week we grilled New Mexican green chili cheeseburgers in the courtyard, after the church service. We invited friends and neighbors to join us for the free cookout.  A neighbor invited him, and he came back again this week.

         I offered to order the CD of the message from the previous week for him and have it at the table  the next Sunday.  I wasn’t sure he would be back. He didn’t look like the church going type.

         To my surprise, the following Sunday he walked up to the table eager to see me. I spoke first,

“Hi! Guess what? I have the CD of the message you wanted.”

“You do?” he asked. He walked around behind the table and gave me the biggest bear hug I have had. “You are the best! Thank you so much! I like this church. I think I am going to keep coming back.”

         Week after week, he faithfully attended church. He met people, asked questions, and enjoyed hearing God’s Word preached.

         A year later, at the next church cookout, he climbed into the outdoor baptism tank. His eyes sparkled and he grinned ear to ear, as he stepped forward to the microphone. To the crowd of several hundred people he said,

“My neighbor invited me to this church last year. I learned about a God who loves me and has forgiven me for everything I have done. He has changed my whole life.” He said, choking up. “I only wish I had found Him earlier in my life.”

         I admire the neighbor who befriended him and invited him to church. He had not come for the first few months, but she kept inviting him. He finally decided to attend because we were having a cookout with free green chili cheeseburgers. That day his life was changed.

I love the verse in Romans 2:4

“Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

        

         It was God’s kindness, through his neighbor, that changed that man forever. He only wished he had known of God sooner.

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Has someone shown you God’s kindness? Do you look for ways to show His kindness to others?