Jesus in the Cereal Aisle
by Dick Wulf
Mary and Sally decide to recognize that Jesus is with them when they get together. (“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20“) Then they determine to take Jesus to the grocery store by going shopping together rather than separately. Perhaps, they figure, Jesus will want them to do something in His name from time to time.
Then, one day as they pass the cereal aisle they see a mother hassled by her two preschool sons. The boys are throwing a fit because they cannot have the expensive, fancy brand they saw advertised on television.
Listening with the ear of faith, Mary and Sally hear the silent voice of Jesus, asking them to help out. So, they approach the children where they sit in the shopping cart and explain that the cheaper cereal tastes just as good and that their mother is being a very good mom to save money for other things they might need.
Once things calm down, Sally and Mary introduce themselves to the children's mother Veronica. They talk a little and then each goes on to complete their shopping. Mary and Sally trust that Jesus touched that situation through them. [In a way, this might be the first time the church comes to Veronica.]
Six months later, Mary and Sally are in the canned vegetable aisle, and Veronica spots them and excitedly comes up to chat. [ In a way, this may be the first time Veronica comes to the church.]
Think About It
Every grocery store needs a hundred such friendships as representatives of the church, in twos or threes, each and every day. The kingdom needs to become a reality all over the world, in all the nicks and crannies—and grocery aisles.
Then, one day as they pass the cereal aisle they see a mother hassled by her two preschool sons. The boys are throwing a fit because they cannot have the expensive, fancy brand they saw advertised on television.
Listening with the ear of faith, Mary and Sally hear the silent voice of Jesus, asking them to help out. So, they approach the children where they sit in the shopping cart and explain that the cheaper cereal tastes just as good and that their mother is being a very good mom to save money for other things they might need.
Once things calm down, Sally and Mary introduce themselves to the children's mother Veronica. They talk a little and then each goes on to complete their shopping. Mary and Sally trust that Jesus touched that situation through them. [In a way, this might be the first time the church comes to Veronica.]
Six months later, Mary and Sally are in the canned vegetable aisle, and Veronica spots them and excitedly comes up to chat. [ In a way, this may be the first time Veronica comes to the church.]
Think About It
Every grocery store needs a hundred such friendships as representatives of the church, in twos or threes, each and every day. The kingdom needs to become a reality all over the world, in all the nicks and crannies—and grocery aisles.
