New Friends
Last night when my class time started – no one was there, except me, of course. I was not surprised. Adult VBS is not a high priority on anyone’s list as far as I know.
A few minutes later, however, a man came in that I had seen earlier at supper. I knew he had two or three young kids there at VBS, and he had chosen to stay, and stopped by my class even though he had asked someone if I would ask him questions for which he would not know the answers.
I chose not to even open the study material. Instead, I asked him about himself and his family. Over the course of an hour or so, we had a long conversation about life, work, kids, Church, and why we did what we do.
Long story short, he is not a “Church” guy. He was just bringing his kids and did not want to leave them without knowing what they were getting into, so he had stayed to observe what they were experiencing (the night before). Relieved that our Team knew what they were doing, and that his kids enjoyed it so much they wanted to come again, he was now going to nervously find out what was going on in my class.
For the first time this week, I was glad no one else came. I am sure it was a design of God that we be alone for a period of time, and I could probe his attitudes, feelings, and concerns.
He has never been in Church. He has little idea about the Lord – much less, his role in God’s purpose. But we moved forward – a little. I talked about how important it was he had “brought” his kids, and not “sent” them. We talked about why sitting in on what our Team was doing for 90 minutes or so was better than spending that time with some of his buddies drinking beer, while missing his kid’s discovery of something exciting and unique.
He will be back tonight. I am sure we will have the opportunity to discuss why He needs to know Christ, become part of a Church where he and his kids can learn Truth, and why I will consider this time treasured moments for the rest of my life.
We have nothing in common – this man and I. But I believe we will, someday, when we become brothers in Christ and meet again to spend eternity as friends.
Now – that’s why we’re here!