Simple-No Strings, No Hassle!
\nBy Terry Cosby, Pastor
\nFirst Baptist Church, Hereford, TX <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
"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."<\/p>\n
"Sure," Gloria replied. I planned to follow at a distance to make sure my secretary made it okay.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
"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?"<\/p>\n
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."<\/p>\n
Simple. No strings. No hassle. . . . And no heart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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