By Codie Brenner

A man struck up a conversation with me in the grocery store parking lot the other day. It was just small talk based on the Oregon State t-shirt I was wearing that he noticed while we were both simultaneously unloading our groceries into our cars. I was tempted to feel uncomfortable, being alone and a married woman, but instead I was overwhelmed with a sense of “what can I say?” I entertained his truck driving story about the narrow highway at the border of California and Oregon, yet all the time (only a few moments) I was dwelling on the fact that I did not have a tract or Easter invitation postcard in my car to give this man. Kindness and courtesy was my fall back in that particular situation, sadly no mention of Christ.

How many small appointments do we miss each day to sprinkle our salt on a dying world by not being prepared? The Apostle Paul exhorts us to be prepared in season and out of season to share the hope that we have. I found that I had slipped into a state of self focus, and why not, I did have to take care of my family’s grocery shopping for the week. King Lemuel’s mother would definitely agree with caring for the needs of my household (Proverbs 31). And yet, a nagging feeling of disappointment lingered in my heart.

Today I found myself in another familiar situation. More errands to run. As I sat in the WIC office waiting to pick up food coupons for my two-year old, the Holy Spirit again prompted my heart. I was sitting next to a pregnant woman with a two-year old who was busy playing puzzles with my son. I struck up a conversation about our boys, their names and ages, and asked when she was due. Her son, Joseph Samuel, like mine, Samuel Stephen, has a biblical name. The Holy Spirit gently asked in my heart, “Are you going to mention Me?” I knew just what to do. I excused myself to the car and returned with the Easter postcard invitation we were encouraged to give out this Sunday at church. I handed it to the young mom with boldness and asked if she had plans to fellowship somewhere for Easter. She responded with a big smile and said she was new to the area and that her family had been looking for a church.

This time instead of disappointment washing over my heart, I was filled with joy. Had I not listened to the Holy Spirit, I would not have gathered the information that she was new to town and would not have known that she was a sister in the Lord looking to put down roots in a local fellowship. Not only was I able to invite her to church, I also gave her my number and told her about our Christian preschool as well. She thanked me and I gathered my coupons and wished her good day.

 We never know who is sitting next to us on a plane or who we are standing behind in the grocery line on our late night run for diapers or chocolate. Let us be ready in season and out of season to be salt and light, even if that simply means passing a tract of hope to the fast food drive-thru attendant.