You Never Know

My phone conversation was interrupted by a loud roar that sounded very close to my house. Going out to investigate, I discovered a man on a heavy machine digging a thin trench in my yard! The internet cable. And I had asked that they call me first. Shutting off his machine, the man smiled and told me they had to lay the cable here rather than where I had hoped, out of the way. Oh, well. On my way back inside, I spotted his partner, and we waved to each other.

Soon the job was done. Before they departed, I invited “Machine Man” to receive a gift from me. I opened the garage door and then the literature-filled car trunk. Explaining the nature of the books and magazines, I invited him to choose whatever he wanted. I stepped back to give him room to look. Immediately his demeanor changed. “I’m not interested. I don’t want to be forced. My landlord already talks to me enough about religion. I believe in God, but I want to do it my way!” Walking away, he shot back, “I don’t have time for this. I’ve got things to do!” Reassuring him that I was merely offering the books and not obliging him in any way, I asked if he would check if his partner would like something. I had to chuckle to myself when he rounded the corner and called out, “You don’t want a Bible, do you?” But his partner did want a Bible, and quickly came inside to receive it.

You just don’t know!

The tree guy came to trim some heavy branches hanging over toward my neighbor’s house. While he operated the ground equipment, his agile partner, long-haired and covered with tattoos, swung through the tree, attaching ropes to various limbs. I watched, amazed. When the job was done, I made the same offer to them both. I don’t remember what the older man took, but I’ll never forget the young man’s response. Grabbing up a dozen health magazines, he gratefully clasped them to his chest and said, “My wife and I are thinking about going back to church!”

You never know.

We never know who is ripe for the message.

It was spring, and our local home improvement store had a sale on gardening supplies. After paying, I drove up, my trunk ready for a big load. An older and younger man hauled the heavy bags into position, and I made my offer: “I always give a gift to people who serve me. Would you like to choose something?” As they explored the book bins in my back seat, I prayed. Both were so open to talking about God! The younger man eagerly reached for Steps to Christ, and I gave them each another book besides.

We just don’t know!

Again I went to the same store, this time to order window blinds. The server was so helpful that when we finished the transaction, I told her I had a gift for her. She waited at the door while I went to my car. When I presented the book to her, she exclaimed, “Someone gave this same book to my husband! Now I have my own copy.” We hugged, and I departed in wonder. God is at work! Sometime later I visited a nearby church on Sabbath. Imagine my surprise to see the woman there! She and her husband are now baptized members, and each holds an office in the church. Praise God!

We never know who is ripe for the message. I have given away many copies of The Great Controversy, GLOW tracts, magazines, DVDs, and other literature, both in English and Spanish. The great majority of people happily take something. They see the handwriting on the wall of a dying world. Opportunities abound. Let’s not deny others or ourselves the joy of knowing and sharing Jesus.