Today was my day for running errands before Christmas and it turned into a day of unexpected experiences. While eating lunch with a fellow pastor at Mary’s Café, several men from our church stopped at our table and an enthusiastic conversation filled with laughter ensued. After everyone had left, I was sitting alone at the table when I felt a tap on my back. Two men seated at the table behind me had obviously overheard and witnessed our interaction. One of them asked me what church we all attended. He added that it sounded like we know how to have fun. I told him it was First Baptist and then introduced myself. He and his friend both said they’d like to attend, so I gave them information about our schedule and invited them to the Christmas Eve service.

My last stop of the day was at Walmart to purchase groceries. While looking at hamburger meat, a store employee behind me said “excuse me”. When I turned around he said, “I’m sorry. I had you confused with someone else. You look like that preacher on TV at a Baptist church.” I told who I was and learned that he watches me every Sunday night. He likes the way I preach. He plays in the praise band at a small church in the area.

Waiting in line to pay for my groceries I watched an elderly lady in front of me dig through her small change purse looking for enough coins to pay for the small amount of groceries she was buying. The total was less than $20 but she didn’t have enough money. So she asked the lady at the register to remove a can of nuts from one of the bags. That lowered her bill enough for her to afford what remained. Standing there I was reminded of countless women in similar circumstance I’d known over the years, especially some from my early days of ministry in Kentucky. She was humble and kind, not the type who knowingly manipulates others for a handout. After she had paid, I asked the lady at the register how much the nuts cost. It was a little over four dollars, so I gave her a five dollar bill and asked her to give the change to the elderly lady. This small woman turned to me with a gentle manner and said, “God bless you!” I wished her a Merry Christmas and off she went. The cashier came from behind the counter to scan the larger items still in my shopping cart and said, “You’re not supposed to make the cashier cry.” I told her the Lord has been good to me and all of us can be good to others.

If I was going to preach a three point sermon based on today’s experiences, my points might be:

1. Christians should have fun and people notice when we do. Too often their image of us is anything but fun.
2. People do watch our TV broadcast.
3. When the Holy Spirit prompts us to help someone, the only response is to do it.

But this is Monday and I usually reserve preaching to Sunday. So instead of preaching I’ll just say that I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences and maybe felt the Holy Spirit nudge you “just a little.”

Merry Christmas,
Pastor Steve Hogg

PS I’m looking forward to our Christmas Eve service at 5:00 PM