Simple-No Strings, No Hassle!
By Terry Cosby, Pastor
First Baptist Church, Hereford, TX
I`d seen it before. They know how to work the system. She had called the church that Sunday morning as I was headed toward the worship center from my office. I normally wouldn`t have been in a position to answer, but the phone rang as I walked by. I grabbed it thinking it was someone wanting to know what time the worship service started. I usually tell them since we are a small church we will just wait `till they get here and then we will start. Not this time. The lady on the phone told me she needed help with a motel room or some place to stay. I told her to come by about 12 or 12:15 and ask for one of the deacons. I really didn`t expect her to show up. I was wrong.
After greeting the guests I was returning to my office to put my Bible on my desk, and I heard Gloria, my secretary, talking to someone. Nearly everyone had already left and I heard Gloria tell Javier to take the kids and she would be with them shortly. When I went into the office I knew why. There was the lady who needed help.
She showed up right on time. If I`d preached a shorter sermon we wouldn`t have to mess with this. Oh, well, who knows? Maybe this lady is telling the truth. Maybe she does need help. Sometimes it`s hard to know for sure. The story sounded a little too familiar.
Her name was Melanie. She heard there was work in Hereford. (I stifled a smile) She had on a hard hat and wore tattered work jeans. She wore construction boots and had a backpack. She looked like she could work on a construction crew. Rough hands, rough features.
"Just fill out the papers." I asked Gloria came into my office a minute. "There`s no way to check with Judy at the courthouse to see if this lady is making the rounds or if she`s telling the truth-it`s Sunday. We`ll just get her a room at the Kings Inn. Do you mind taking her down there? It wouldn`t look just right for the preacher to check a woman into a motel."
"Sure," Gloria replied. I planned to follow at a distance to make sure my secretary made it okay.
So then we heard her story. Not much emotion from Melanie or me. She was probably feeding us a line, but what the heck. Gloria calls the Kings Inn and tells them that she is coming and where they should send the bill. They are accustomed to us doing that a few times a year. We all know the routine.
Melanie tells her story. I listen. I know I look skeptical, but I go ahead and get her a room anyway. The hotel manager agrees to check her in and to bill the church. Simple. No strings. No hassle.
We also give Melanie a $5 coupon book from Mickey-D`s, along with the room at the hotel, which I wouldn`t stay in and neither would anyone else in this church.
Gloria saves me from embarrassment and agrees to take her to the motel. We all walk out to the cars together. Then Melanie messes it all up.
"What goes on up here on Sunday morning," she asks? A little shocked, I answer coldly, "We worship-sing hymns, pray, and have preaching." "What did you preach about today?"
I stopped and for the first time saw Melanie`s eyes. I never really looked at her before. Gulping down the lump in my throat, I stuttered an answer, " What The World Should Expect From the Church."
Simple. No strings. No hassle. . . . And no heart.
