A Letter From Pastor Kurt

Where is Jesus?

The front wheels were just crossing the sidewalk at the entrance of the Costco gas station. Way more cars than expected! "I've got almost a half tank. I really don't need to fill up. Shall I back out and just go to the store?" Glancing in the rearview mirror while pressing a little harder on the brake – "Great." Another car just pulled up behind, obviously wanting to gas up too, blocking the plan B exit.

Sigh. Easing forward, "OK, which line is the shortest? Which one is most likely to move ahead first? Who is taking the hose out of their tank and who is just putting it in?" Glance at the watch. "Alright, I think I can do this and still get into the store, get what I came for and make it home on time."

"How much gas does that thing hold, anyway?" Every other line is moving briskly.

"Alright. At least I got a good parking spot. Thank You Lord!"

"Wow. Three of them, all with carts, holding an impromptu social gathering right here in the main aisle…the whole aisle. They don't appear to notice there are any other shoppers in the store. Last time I asked to be let past a group like this I got chewed out. Too bad I don't know one of them. They would let me by as an act of friendship. Oh, well…I'll just go down a side aisle and get around them."

"Yes!" The cook is just sliding a rack of freshly cooked, hot chickens into the travel packages. "Oh, that one looks good."

The Home Stretch from the back of the store, up the other main aisle, checkout stands in sight. Two side aisles ahead, merging from the right, a young mother with a toddler up top in a full cart, rounding the corner, perfect timing…right rear cart wheel hits the corner of a display case.

Everything shifts to slow motion. DVD's cascading to the floor, Mom's head swivels right to the sound, her forward momentum bounces her into the cart handle and her toddler while reaching out in a hopeless attempt to stop the display spill. The little girl screams as her hands launch the things she was holding. The poor young woman tries to change direction back to her child, only to have her slip just beyond her grasp, her little legs still trapped in the openings at the back of the cart below the handle.

There it all is – DVD's everywhere, a scared crying little girl, the contents of a burst bag of candy spreading out across the floor, and a completely startled young Mother now on the verge of tears, herself. What an opportunity.

Without a second of hesitation or decision making – the timing and positioning could not have been better – 4 steps straight into the situation. Left hand lifting the little girl upright, right hand helping Mom toward her daughter by the shoulder, "Don't worry. Everything is OK. I'll get those things for you."

Mom & daughter are comforted. Spilled stuff is gathered up. Waiting for the checkout line to move forward. What a delightful sense of contentment. "I'm so glad I was here for that. Thank You Lord."

All for Christ's sake

Kurt