| Email: | JenniferGambill@altamesa.org |
| Children's Ministry: | http://www.altamesa.org/children |
Another day at Wal-mart
Jennifer Gambill ( Children's Minister )
I was buying things that the Teachers need for their Bible classes. I finished my shopping, and I went to check out. There were only 2 lanes open that I could use. Lane 12 is where I ended up. It wasn't like the normal trip at this store. Where you put your stuff up on the belt, rush through the lane, no talking, hurry up and pay, get your stuff and leave.
She was younger then me, at least 10 years. We both said hello. There was no one behind me; I took my time unloading the cart. I handed her the tax exempt card. It lists our church name on the front of the card. She looked at it for a second, looked at me, and then looked back at the card.
"Altamesa Church of Christ? I've never heard of it before."
"We're on the corner of Altamesa & Hulen. The older 1970's looking building."
She looked at me again, "Is that the one that is kind of set back on the property?"
"Yep, that's the one."
As she checked me out she looked at the things I was buying. I always get comments about the stuff I buy. It is usually some odd combination of stuff. The first thing was 18 acrylic picture frames. Her comment: "Someone must take a lot of pictures!" I laughed and told her they were for Father/Daughter date night.
The next item was 10 bags of York peppermint Patties. She looked at me and we both started to laugh. "No, they aren't all for me. They are for our teacher appreciation gifts. You know something like `You're worth a Mint to us"! Her reply, "Wow, I bet they like that. It's nice to feel appreciated every once in a while."
The last item was 30 balls each about 3 inches in diameter. "Okay, now what on earth are you doing with these?" I couldn't stop smiling at her; I knew she was thinking `I can't wait to hear the answer to this one!', "I know is will make no sense, but I promise you one of the Bible classes is going to be learning to juggle as a part of their lesson." She smiled and shook her head.
We finished up, and I got everything in my cart. As I got ready to leave she made another comment, "Hey, I enjoyed spending time with you. Could I come to your church on Sunday?"
"I'd love it! Come and find me on Sunday. I am usually in the Children's Wing. Tell someone when you walk in your looking for Jennifer, the Children's Minister. They'll help you find me."
"I have 2 kids, so I'll find you one way or another!" We said goodbye.
I couldn't believe the conversation that had just happened. I walked to the car with tears in my eyes and a smile. Will she come on Sunday? I pray that she does. I pray that we are welcoming and she feels at home. And more than anything, I pray that she comes to know the Lord. Pray with me this week that God will give us more opportunities to minister.
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
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