Amy sat in church and watched as the plates were passed; she was seven and chock full of questions someone would get to answer. She took her tiny cracker and little cup and wondered the whole time what it meant. She knew something special was happening, but had no idea what. After church, she couldn't wait any longer. Pastor Stevens watched the little precocious child walk toward him. "Pastor, I'd like to make a 'pointment,' she said, "I have some questions." The next afternoon Pastor Stevens set up his personal communion service and waited for Amy.
He Spelled My Name
Amy arrived right on time, she sat down and started talking. The pastor had never heard so many questions come so quickly; she didn't even stop for him to answer. When Amy finished her inquisition, Pastor Stevens opened his small black personal portable communion service. Now he had her full attention, because his small desk size kit contained all the same elements as the Sunday service communion. He asked if he could tell her a wonderful and true story. Amy listened as he began telling her the coolest story she'd ever heard. He explained how Jesus came as a baby and turned into a very special man Who never, ever made a mistake. He taught her a very big word called "redemption," and that it meant God had wanted to be her friend again.
When he got to the part when Jesus let people hurt and kill Him, tears welled up in Amy's eyes. He said that as Jesus went through all this, Amy was on His mind and how He was so happy that if He died, it would finally be possible for Amy to be His friend again. He made it through all the bad stuff thinking about how much He loved Amy. When they hurt His left hand, right hand, and feet, He spelled A-M-Y. He spelled her name to remember why He was hurting. He did it all for Amy. Then Pastor Steven and Amy shared communion together using the little personal size kit he prepared just for this moment.
That day never left Amy's mind; the impact God's love made on her changed her whole very little world. She grew up and traveled the world, always taking her own brass and crystal communion kit.
She explained to others what Pastor Stevens had taught her, telling them that Jesus spelled their names too; even when they had names she couldn't spell herself.
The Next Generation
When Amy reached 30, she sat in her old church with her own little girl. She listened to Pastor Stevens recite the words of the sacrament, keeping an eye on her daughter to see what she would think. On the way to the car, her little one began talking about the service. She said, "Mom, do you think I could come here tomorrow? I have some questions." Amy grinned and knew that in the morning, another generation would walk into Pastor Stevens' office and see the little mini communion ready to teach God's love to another child.
He Spelled My Name
Amy arrived right on time, she sat down and started talking. The pastor had never heard so many questions come so quickly; she didn't even stop for him to answer. When Amy finished her inquisition, Pastor Stevens opened his small black personal portable communion service. Now he had her full attention, because his small desk size kit contained all the same elements as the Sunday service communion. He asked if he could tell her a wonderful and true story. Amy listened as he began telling her the coolest story she'd ever heard. He explained how Jesus came as a baby and turned into a very special man Who never, ever made a mistake. He taught her a very big word called "redemption," and that it meant God had wanted to be her friend again.
When he got to the part when Jesus let people hurt and kill Him, tears welled up in Amy's eyes. He said that as Jesus went through all this, Amy was on His mind and how He was so happy that if He died, it would finally be possible for Amy to be His friend again. He made it through all the bad stuff thinking about how much He loved Amy. When they hurt His left hand, right hand, and feet, He spelled A-M-Y. He spelled her name to remember why He was hurting. He did it all for Amy. Then Pastor Steven and Amy shared communion together using the little personal size kit he prepared just for this moment.
That day never left Amy's mind; the impact God's love made on her changed her whole very little world. She grew up and traveled the world, always taking her own brass and crystal communion kit.
The Next Generation
When Amy reached 30, she sat in her old church with her own little girl. She listened to Pastor Stevens recite the words of the sacrament, keeping an eye on her daughter to see what she would think. On the way to the car, her little one began talking about the service. She said, "Mom, do you think I could come here tomorrow? I have some questions." Amy grinned and knew that in the morning, another generation would walk into Pastor Stevens' office and see the little mini communion ready to teach God's love to another child.
About the Author:
These days, budgets, attendance, even parking make us all think outside the box, so it's fun to recall fondly thinking inside the box. Online Christian bookstores have just about all the church equipment boxes you could imagine. There are a lot of uses for church equipment that have very little to do with the original box. That's my opinion, and I'm usually right. Cheers, and God Bless.