Christianity in Action: Even in the Snow

This weekend my wonderful husband and I went for a sleep study. Since we were a couple, the nurse decided to wire us up in the same room at the same time. Now in our 35 years of marriage we have shared many things, but I can honestly say, this was a new experience.

As she wired us, we talked about many topics including our jobs, grandchildren, and children. Toward the end of the wiring session, the nurse asked how long we had been married. I was proud but not surprised when Carl replied, "We've been married 35 years." To this she replied, "You two are such a hoot. I can tell you have fun together." Carl's next answer did surprise me, "Last summer we did a study with a young couple on Love Languages. That study really helped us understand each other." You guessed it, her question was, "What were your love languages?" My husband had now turned this wiring session into an explanation of love languages and how God uses an understanding of those languages to strengthen relationships. Now I am sitting with wires coming off my head feeling very guilty. My husband is witnessing to this nurse, while I am ignoring her by doing a Sudoku puzzle. He has taken an opportunity to show a person how Christ is alive and active in people's everyday lives.

The next morning we awoke to terrible snowy weather. We decided before driving home we would treat ourselves to the breakfast buffet at Furr's. We were the only car in the parking lot, but my rule follower husband would not park in the handicap parking next to the door. Oh no, he decides to park across from the door and gets stuck in a snow bank. After several minutes, he frees our car and at my urging (nagging) he parked in the handicapped spot.

Just as we settle into our spot, a car pulls up in front of Furr's and several women get out. The car pulls away from the door, and you guessed it, got stuck in the same snow bank. Now my husband decides to help the young man get free. He goes over and starts to push. As he is pushing, the car swerves toward him and I am sure he will be run over. To this sight while sitting in the warm car, I am saying, "Carl, just get in this car before you get hurt." Of course, he did not hear me because now he is using a shovel to dig the car out. After many minutes of pushing, digging, and swerving the car goes free.

As we are sitting eating our breakfast, the manager of Furr's comes over. She begins to tell Carl how much she appreciated his help with the car. It seems that the young man was the husband of the cashier and he had brought several ladies to work. The manager told Carl that it wasn't often that a person was willing to help a stranger and that she wanted him to have a gift card as a reward for his effort. Carl replied that there was no need for a thank you. He told her, "That is what people do, they help someone in trouble." Now I am feeling very guilty, because you may remember, I just wanted him to get in the car.

I am glad God sends gentle reprimands to me. I began to wonder how many opportunities I had missed to put my Christianity into action. Colossians 4:17 "And whatevery you do or say, whether in word or deed, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Does that include getting a car out of a snow bank? You bet it does, I am sure if Christ had been in the parking lot He would have been helping. But since Christ was not physically there, Carl had to be His hands and feet.

Does that include telling a nurse that a Christian based study on love has helped our marriage? Of course, it does. If Christ had been in the room, He would have proclaimed the blessing of a Godly spouse. But since Christ could not physically be in the room, Carl had to be His mouth.

So Lord, I am reprimanded. Thank you for reminding that we, the Christians, are your hands, feet, and mouth on this earth. Keep ever present in my mind that everyday life offers countless opportunities to share the love of Christ with lost and huring people.

Yes, our Christianity should be in action, even in the cold, bitter snow.