What Was Lost Is Now Found

By Pastor E

This past week I stopped in town to pick up my suit from the laundry. I was getting things ready to officiate a wedding for a former student and his soon to be wife–always an exciting privilege for me. I was in sort of a hurry as I pulled into the parking lot, with a couple meetings and other things to attend to that day. Just a quick stop, I thought, to pick up my suit. 

I greeted the lady behind the counter with a “good morning” and a hurried smile. I was a regular at this store so she punched a few things into the computer with no prompting and proceeded to the back of the store to get my clothing. When she returned, she hung my suit on the rod by the counter–everything pressed and bagged up. 

I quickly noticed a small brown bag hanging on the outside of the plastic wrap. “What is that?” I asked. As she removed the brown bag she replied, “It was something that was in your pants pocket.” She opened the bag and turned it upside down. With a loud “clang” a large coin fell out onto the counter. Right away, I recognized the item–it was my prayer coin that the pastors and I carry around with us. The coin is a reminder for us to be in prayer for one another at all times. We carry this coin around as an ongoing reminder to keep up the discipline of praying for each other and the members of our congregation. I thought I had lost it, but here it was!! “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” Colossians 6:2.

The lady picked up the coin from the counter and asked what it was. I began to explain its significance to me and its purpose. She then asked me what was written on the coin. I explained that the words around the coin came from the Bible, specifically from Ephesians 6 which teaches us about the armor of God. Again she asked, “What is that?” As I began to explain it to her I could tell she was not a believer and had no clue about the Bible. Sharing this with her led to a conversation about the gospel and my personal testimony. For over an hour we chatted about the Good News, how it has impacted my life, and how it could change hers.  “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

In the midst of sharing and listening, this young lady began to open up about some of her own struggles, hurts, and issues going on in her life. Her testimony led to some tears and a Pastor E bear hug. She told me, “I’m not sure what I believe but I’m open to anything at this point!” I told her it was okay she didn’t need to have it all figured out, Lord knows I don’t either. I gave her a copy of the New Testament that I had in my truck and pointed her to the book of John. I affirmed that she was loved, she mattered, and no matter what she was going through that peace could be found in Jesus. I gave her my coin and promised to check in on her. She got another Pastor E hug as we said goodbye and I went about my day. 

Scripture commands us in 1 Peter 3:15, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect….”

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