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Touch Points - We're Not Christian
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Trek 2008 – Give ‘em Heaven
Touch Point – We’re Not Christian
By Cheryle M. Touchton
The Pocket Full of Quarters Lady
They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, They will know we are Christians by our love. (hymn)
Do your children know you are a Christian? When they look at you, do they see Christ? Do they see a person whom they want to consume their lives?
“Are you a Christian,” I asked. I’d been talking with a woman working in the campground.
She gave what I call the “Smile of Christ.” Most people that know Christ, light up when I mention His name.
“Yes ma’am, I am.” About that time, a tiny little girl ran in. “Just wait until I’m finished,” the woman said.
“Is that your child?” I asked. The woman nodded.
“Is she your first?”
“My 4th.”
“Wow,” I said. “You don’t look old enough to have 4.”
“The first two were twin girls. Then I had my boy.”
“And you still had another?” I quipped. “You know they know what causes that now.”
She laughed and finished checking me in. Knowing she needed to handle her daughter’s problem, I left.
The next morning was laundry day. I leashed Belle outside the laundry room and opened the door so I could see her. I looked up to see 3 children hugging Belle. I recognized them immediately.
“I think I met your Mommy last night,” I said. “You look just like her. I’ll bet you have a little sister back at the camper.”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“This is Belle the Missionary Dog,” I said. “Would you like to see her tricks?” Naturally, they agreed. Belle put on a perfect show.
“Do you know what a missionary is?” I asked. Since none of them did, I said, “A missionary is someone who tells people about Jesus. I’m a missionary too. I help people become a Christian.”
“We’re not Christian,” one of the twins announced.
“You’re pretty young yet,” I said. One day you will want to pray and ask Jesus to be a part of your life. That’s how you become a Christian. Your mother is a Christian and I’m sure she wants you to be one.”
The children looked confused. One of the twins said, “No she’s not. We’re not Christian.
The other twin said, “Our grandmother is a Christian but we’re not Christian.”
“I’m pretty sure your mommy is,” I said. “She said she was. Do you go to church?”
“We’ve been but we don’t go,” one of the twins said.
I left troubled. I’d believed her when the mother said she was a Christian but I also believed that her children didn’t know she was. As I prayed, I got a picture of a busy overwhelmed mother who possibly worked Sundays. I knew she was new to the area. Time had probably gotten away from her and she didn’t even realize her children were old enough to interpret not going to church as not being Christian.
As I cleaned up the camper and prepared to leave, I couldn’t get that mother off my mind. Dear God, is she a Christian? Could she be a Christian without her children knowing it? What do I do next? Suddenly, I knew what I had to do.
I grabbed one of my books and my card, walked across the campground, and boldly knocked on her door. I argued with myself all the way there. Who did I think I was? Would she throw me out? Maybe she even had a gun.
“Is your mommy home?” I asked when the children opened the trailer door.
“Yes,” a voice said from inside. “Come in.”
“Are you sure you want a stranger to just walk in?” I said apologetically as I entered. “I brought you one of my books. I met your wonderful children. While they played with my dog, I told them I was a Christian and explained what a missionary did. They said their family wasn’t Christian. Since you told me you were a Christian, I couldn’t leave here without telling you their perspective on it. I’m a mother myself and I thought you’d want to know what they think.”
She looked stunned. “But they’ve been in church,” she said. Then she paused, probably realizing how little they had really been in church.
“They said their grandmother was a Christian but they insisted their family wasn’t,” I said firmly. “I know they are still young but if you want them to become Christians, they need to know about Christ.”
I wanted to confirm that she really was a Christian so we talked for a minute about how one actually became a Christian. The children listened as we talked.
The mother answered, “I did that in high-school. I am a Christian.”
“Then please let them know about your faith,” I begged.
She nodded and said, “Thank you.” She gave that sweet tired smile again.
I left with no bullet holes. I’ve been praying for this family all day.
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Cheryle M. Touchton is the Director of Pocket Full of Change Ministries. For more information or to schedule a speaker for an event, go to www.pocketfullofchange.org or call Gail Golden at 904 316-5462.
This ministry exists because people like you are called to help fund the work of the kingdom. To help keep the Pocket Full of Quarters Lady on the road as a traveling missionary, send your tax deductible contribution to Pocket Full of Change Ministries, POB 51205, Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32240.
© Pocket Full of Change Ministries
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