When Duty Calls

Although I have no clue what God has planned as far as a a future occupation goes, I consider myself an aspiring Christian writer: that is, I want to learn to write as a tool for my life. But of course, I have a higher calling as a Christian: to, as Mark 16:15 says, "....Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." A few hours ago I went on my paper route, and here's what happened:

I've worked on my paper route for several years. It takes around an hour, therefore is only a small burden. Although it's work, it can, as I've been learning, be a great witnessing opportunity. It was the most beautiful day out today, as I went on the route with my sister, Grace. As I prepared to leave, I inserted several tracts into my pocket, with the hopes of giving them out during the route. I was very excited! There are a total of six "half" streets on the route, and for the first two, I didn’t see a single person.

As many of you know, I adore little kids. They are so innocent, cute, fun and easily entertained. Bigger kids are cool as well, I suppose, but for some reason, littler kids just awaze me. (In my opinion, "kids" is a better word than "children", as most people associate it with being "childish", or foolish, which I don’t consider them.) As I was walking along the third street, I saw a group of younger kids riding bikes around the sidewalk. I was carrying some kids' tracts!

I prayed that God would give me the courage and opportunity to give one of the kids a tract. There were four of them - three girls and a three-or-so-year-old boy with reddish hair. As I walked up to the house, I said 'hello' to one of them. The girls seemed to bike in different directions, but the boy didn’t. Even after leaving a paper on the porch, he stayed in his toy car on the sidewalk.

What a perfect chance! He was just sitting there looking and smiling at me. I moved toward him, and then crouched down to his level. I said, "Hello. Here; you can have this." He took his hands off the steering wheel and took the tract! I smiled brightly, said goodbye and walked toward the girls further down the sidewalk. I said 'hello' again, and they smiled back at me.

I walked away, and heard one of them say, "Theo [or another similar boys’ name] got something from the mailman!" I was overjoyed. I glanced back and they were crowding around him reading the Gospel! Hopefully, God will use it for His glory, and make an impact on their lives. I continued delivering papers to the homes.

As I was on my second-to-last street, I hadn’t walked near anyone since those kids. I promised God that if He gave me one more person to give a tract to, I would do it. I began the final street, and the chance hadn't come. I was somewhat disappointed. But, God came through, but made me keep my promise the hard way.

Sure, it’s pretty easy to give a tract to an adorable little boy. But when you have to give one to an adult, it becomes a challenge. When it is a group of adults, well, I’ve never done that before. Sure enough, standing at the end of the road was four adults! I was like, Oh man, why did I have to promise it? :D I knew I needed to do it, as my fear is pitiful compared to the fear people will face in Hell forever and ever.

I walked up to them, and they seemed friendly enough. I handed one a paper, and to another I gave a 'money' tract and told him to "read the back sometime, it’s very important." He thanked me, we wished each other a nice day, and said goodbye. Although it took a little courage and overcoming of fear to approach these people, it is ever so important. How can we not? Nothing is more important than your eternal salvation.

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God bless, J.J.