One Sunday afternoon, I decided to go to Suntan City for some detox work (i.e. sauna, red
light therapy, etc.). As I walked in, one of the staff, let’s call her CeeCee, smiled and was visibly
excited to see me. She could barely talk!
Then she said, “you’re the church, right?” Yes? “I mean a pastor, right?” Yes! What’s up? She
went on to share that her family will buy extra food and donate it to a church and her dad gave
her a big box of food. She didn’t know what to do with it and was hoping to see me and I could
help. Absolutely! We have a little food pantry for the community! She was even happy to carry
it out to my truck!
As I was leaving, I stopped to ask the other employee, let’s call her, Nora, if she needed
anything. She was good as she just ordered a sandwich from Subway and was going to walk
over and pick it up. I am happy to go get it! And so off I went.
Now, the conversation at Subway was supposed to be simple. I was looking for an order that
was called in for Nora. Right? No orders for Nora. There was an order for some crazy last
name, first initial “N”. That’s got to be Nora! The employee wasn’t so sure. How many
outstanding orders are there for anyone with a first or last name with the initial “N”?
I didn’t grab my cell phone, this was supposed to be easy! I didn’t know the phone number for
Suntan City, that’s what cell phones are for. I couldn’t confirm what the order was or the last
four digits of her credit card. Look like I might not be walking out with that sandwich!
Then I heard about insurance for scammers and how it was unusual for someone to pick up a
sandwich for someone else. Uh, isn’t that what Doordash is about? Fair enough, they get the
information that I did not. I offered to buy the sandwich! He didn’t know if he should let the
sandwich go! After more reasoning, I walked out with the sandwich.
I delivered it! We all laughed that Subway only knows Nora by her last name, sandwich order
or the last four digits of her credit card! That’s sad! I will not forget Nora any time soon!
I picked up groceries for the Wesley Student lounge and as I was ready to roll, I noticed a lady
in the parking lot, pushing her cart and looking all around, like she was lost. We’ve all been
there, right? I slowly pulled out, put my window down and asked if she needed help. She sure
did! I pulled into an open stall and jumped out.
She lost her vehicle. What kind? Tucson. No clue what that is! It’s gray. That didn’t help. I
asked if she had a remote for the vehicle. Yes! Let’s try the panic button! She found the remote
at the bottom of her purse. Then she couldn’t read the buttons. She pushed them all. Fair
enough.
Nothing. Push the bottom button again, I think it has the picture of a horn. Yep! There’s a car
with lights flashing and a horn honking one isle over! Please push the button again!
She was grateful. I helped her find a place to cross over to the next row of vehicles instead of
going all the way around. She confessed that she was embarrassed. That’s our little secret!
Does anyone else get to have this much fun? Has anyone given you a box of food because
they associate you with a church? Have you been baffled about trying to do a good thing, but
accused of ill intent instead? Have you gently helped a random stranger lately?
I would love to say these are just random stories, but they happen way more than I realize! I
love the way God uses me! Your turn! I would love to hear your stories! How is God using you?
Jena
