The man had come to...
Illustration
The man had come to this church before. The pastor recognized him. He had called months ago, asking for money to tide him over "till he got his commission check." The pastor gave him $20, the usual "go away" money, lectured him on the cost of the cigarette he was smoking, and showed him the door. And he was back again. This time, the pastor stopped for a moment and listened to the fellow's tale of woe. It was a long one, and the pastor's experience had taught him that long stories were less likely to be true than short ones, but he listened anyway. The man clearly needed more than money. His furniture would be moved out on the lawn if he didn't get his rent check plus a deposit to the landlord by 2:00. He had a place he could live, with friends, but they had no room to store his few belongings. And, he needed a new job. As they talked, the pastor could see that this man needed more than he was asking for -- he needed medical care, dental work, a pep talk, a kind word. So while learning that the man's name was Bob and giving him a pep talk, the pastor got on the phone. They found space for Bob's furniture, a doctor who could make time to see him, a couple of people who would pay for the dental work, some clothes suitable for job hunting, a bus pass, gift certificates for produce and a trip to the food bank. Within a week, the man had a job, medication and a series of dental appointments. A man in the congregation had a friend with an open apartment, and a collection was taken to pay three months' rent. No word was ever spoken outside of the congregation; no award was given, no accolade for the help but one -- a man's life renewed, a new church member, one who every night knelt to pray for that church, that it would prosper and grow. -- Herrmann
