Jody laughed out loud at...
Illustration
Object:
Jody laughed out loud at the mention of Sunday school. "I haven't been to Sunday school
in years," she said. Her neighbor knew that her in-laws were part of a downtown church.
Jody told of being married at the church but she had not attended since. She explained
that she just did not feel the need to go to church. Like many young people she felt she
could be a good Christian without the church playing a part in her life.
A mishap in her son's gym class revealed a serious health concern. Jody took her son to their family doctor who referred them to an out-of-town specialist to get proper treatment for this rare condition. It was a hectic couple of months. There were many days when Jody felt totally overwhelmed and stressed out. People from church called to offer prayers for her and her son. She politely thanked them for their prayers.
What Jody never expected was the outpouring from the church. People from the church would drop off meals for the family on days when they were at out-of-town appointments. The women's club offered to stay with her son so Jody could go to work. The youth fellowship provided yard work. It was truly amazing the way the church came through for her.
Seeing the church at its best changed Jody's mind about the church. She never thought people would offer their assistance and not want something in return. Jody's faith was reborn.
Speaking again with her neighbor she said she wished she had been involved with the church all along. If only the unruly workers in today's parable knew who it was they might have acted differently. The good news is that we have the Bible and the witness of the faithful to help us. Thanks to others we do know Jesus.
A mishap in her son's gym class revealed a serious health concern. Jody took her son to their family doctor who referred them to an out-of-town specialist to get proper treatment for this rare condition. It was a hectic couple of months. There were many days when Jody felt totally overwhelmed and stressed out. People from church called to offer prayers for her and her son. She politely thanked them for their prayers.
What Jody never expected was the outpouring from the church. People from the church would drop off meals for the family on days when they were at out-of-town appointments. The women's club offered to stay with her son so Jody could go to work. The youth fellowship provided yard work. It was truly amazing the way the church came through for her.
Seeing the church at its best changed Jody's mind about the church. She never thought people would offer their assistance and not want something in return. Jody's faith was reborn.
Speaking again with her neighbor she said she wished she had been involved with the church all along. If only the unruly workers in today's parable knew who it was they might have acted differently. The good news is that we have the Bible and the witness of the faithful to help us. Thanks to others we do know Jesus.
