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Today's Purple Ducks Devotional
My Other Car is a Broom
John 4:9
After the tragic events on September 11, 2001, Americans were more inclined to entertain religious thoughts and spiritual conversations. Church attendance spiked during the following weeks and waned soon after.
I took my car to a gas station late in the evening on September 11th. I wanted to fill up my tank because I had heard gas prices would soon soar. Even though I was in preaching school at the time, I was not the most evangelistic person in the world. I especially wasn't evangelistic towards people that were different than me. I rarely approached people just to talk. But that evening things were different. I didn't convert a dozen people. I didn't even invite someone to church but there I was at a gas station talking to a stranger.
The woman I spoke with was not a Samaritan, but she could have fit that outcast role mighty well. I spoke to this orange haired woman very easily this evening. It was like all Americans were friends, at least for a little while. We spoke about the towers falling and how her first grade daughter couldn't sleep because her teacher had traumatized her class by having them watch the news that morning. I told her I attended preaching school. I even gave her a my number in case she had any struggles with her daugther or in case she had some herself. After all, we were all friendly Americans on this day.
She got in her car and began driving away. That's when I saw it, a bumper sticker that read, "My other car is a broom." She wasn't a Samaritan, but I may have been conversing with a witch.Why did it take a national tragedy to get me to talk to an orange haired woman who also flies a broom on occasion? A Christian, as I claimed to be, should openly embrace those who are outcasts or those who could play the part. That's what Jesus did and it's unfortunate that I don't always follow his example.
I'll share more stories like this one in my upcoming book: Puprle Ducks: Reflections on belonging, church and a guy named Jesus. In the mean time, I'd love to hear your stories on approaching people who are different or even your 9/11 stories.
Thanks for reading,
Brian Humek
Irving, TX
(The devotionals I post here are free to use in church bulletins and as church website content. I'd love for you to inform me when they are used, but that isn't necessary. I know how busy life can get. Please Credit Brian Humek, The Heartland Church of Christ, Bedford, TX)
My Other Car is a Broom
John 4:9
After the tragic events on September 11, 2001, Americans were more inclined to entertain religious thoughts and spiritual conversations. Church attendance spiked during the following weeks and waned soon after.
I took my car to a gas station late in the evening on September 11th. I wanted to fill up my tank because I had heard gas prices would soon soar. Even though I was in preaching school at the time, I was not the most evangelistic person in the world. I especially wasn't evangelistic towards people that were different than me. I rarely approached people just to talk. But that evening things were different. I didn't convert a dozen people. I didn't even invite someone to church but there I was at a gas station talking to a stranger.
The woman I spoke with was not a Samaritan, but she could have fit that outcast role mighty well. I spoke to this orange haired woman very easily this evening. It was like all Americans were friends, at least for a little while. We spoke about the towers falling and how her first grade daughter couldn't sleep because her teacher had traumatized her class by having them watch the news that morning. I told her I attended preaching school. I even gave her a my number in case she had any struggles with her daugther or in case she had some herself. After all, we were all friendly Americans on this day.
She got in her car and began driving away. That's when I saw it, a bumper sticker that read, "My other car is a broom." She wasn't a Samaritan, but I may have been conversing with a witch.Why did it take a national tragedy to get me to talk to an orange haired woman who also flies a broom on occasion? A Christian, as I claimed to be, should openly embrace those who are outcasts or those who could play the part. That's what Jesus did and it's unfortunate that I don't always follow his example.
I'll share more stories like this one in my upcoming book: Puprle Ducks: Reflections on belonging, church and a guy named Jesus. In the mean time, I'd love to hear your stories on approaching people who are different or even your 9/11 stories.
Thanks for reading,
Brian Humek
Irving, TX
(The devotionals I post here are free to use in church bulletins and as church website content. I'd love for you to inform me when they are used, but that isn't necessary. I know how busy life can get. Please Credit Brian Humek, The Heartland Church of Christ, Bedford, TX)