Reader,

In last week’s email I mentioned that during Season 9 of You Were Made for This, I’ll be releasing a new episode on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.

On other Wednesdays, like this one, you’ll receive an email/blog post from me.

If you missed last week’s episode, no. 220 “A Podcast You and I Want to Listen to,” you can hear it if you click here. Look for episode 221 next Wednesday.

A Sunday morning packed house

On a recent Sunday morning, Janet and I visited a church new to us where we experienced something short of a relational miracle. As we walked from our car toward the church entrance, a thirty-something woman approached Janet.

With three young children in tow, she said, “Oh, that color blue looks so good on you.” Janet smiled, and the two of them chatted as we got closer to the entrance.

A single mom with three small kids, I thought. But I was wrong. Once inside, the woman introduced us to her husband.

“This is my husband, and he’s the pastor. We’re so glad you came to visit this morning.”

Once the service started I’m guessing maybe 150-200 people filled nearly every seat. There was quite a buzz about the place that I enjoyed.

After the service was over, we made our way back through the small lobby to leave and get to our car. But before we could get out the door, that same thirty-something pastor’s wife we met earlier came up to us.

Something I haven’t heard since the early ‘80s

“Say, we’re having a few people over to our house for lunch after church, and we’d love to have both of you join us.”

I’ve been replaying this invitation over and over again in my mind ever since it was extended to us. I’ve told a few friends I’ve run into since about this invitation, beginning with, “Hey, do you want to hear about a miracle?”

There was nothing cheesy or insincere about her invitation. It was a genuine act of kindness that came from the heart.

We are twice as old as the pastor and his wife. They are younger than our own children, so we are far removed from the young-family-with-kids demographic that many churches target to build their congregation.

“Can you come to our house for lunch?”

Her invitation fed a hunger that food can’t.

Until next week, and episode 221, I wish you all the joy that you can wish.*

John Certalic

* The Merchant of Venice, Act III, scene 2

​
​