She had been widowed for 15 years and had worked hard to make her
living at what she knew best as a wife and mother. If she had a dollar
for every loaf of bread she made, she would be quite well-off. He was a
preacher of the gospel and his wife had died a few years previously. God
in His kindness and wisdom brought these two people together and they
married "in the Lord." Now, together as older people they were starting a
new life and she wondered how to best connect with the people in the
community where they lived. Baking bread wasn't her hobby; for years it
had been a necessity in order to feed her large family and to help make
ends meet.
"How can I connect with the people in this community? I am a
stranger to them. They have lived here all their lives and now I am
married to one of their own people; everyone knows my husband is a
gospel preacher."
One day when baking bread, she decided to make some extra loaves
and take them to the neighbors. Each loaf of bread was made by hand and
formed with the care of 50 years of experience. Then she and her husband
took a loaf of bread to the neighbor's door and he introduced her to
the neighbors as his new wife. With few words and a very nice smile she
greeted them and a neighborly bond was formed. Now she is on a first
name basis and speaking terms every time they meet. Sometimes they take a
pot of stew over, and now the neighbor is occasionally bringing them
some expression of neighborliness back. The neighbors now count it a
privilege when they are asked for help in some project.
Now, before Christmas every year, 70 neighbors receive a loaf of
bread, made from scratch, and formed with a desire that they might see
and know the love of Christ through the work of her hands. When she
walks through the town everyone knows her. The post-mistress said to us,
"When she walks in, this place lights up." When she and her husband go
to deliver packages containing a Via magazine, an assortment of
tracts, and a calendar, every home is open in the town. All the people
respect them even though they won't come to hear him preach. Whenever
they need help of some kind they know there is an older couple in their
community that genuinely cares for them. They are "peculiar people,
zealous of good works."
This is "casting your bread upon the waters."
In most cities, doors are closed to people who folks don't know,
even those living in the same apartment building. But it is surprising
how the smell of freshly baked bread can open a door. A small jar of
homemade jam, or a little bit of molasses in a container in a basket
with a nice towel around it to go with freshly baked bread right out of
the oven, is very hard to resist when someone from down the hall and the
second door to the right offers it with a nice smile and a first name.
"Oh, just keep the basket if you want it. But if you want to
bring it back sometime, come on in for a cup of coffee or tea. And maybe
the basket will get filled up again. I like to bake, but we are getting
older and don't eat as much as we used to. Do come and visit us. We are
just down the hall and the second door to the right."
This is "casting your bread upon the waters."
In a fairly upscale suburb of a big city, a new family moved in
just across the street. When the moving truck got there it was almost
noon and the moving men and the new family were carrying things into the
house. A soul-winner packed up a container with sandwiches, carrots,
and celery sticks, and some peanut butter to go with it, pieces of
cheddar cheese, two thermos bottles of coffee, and one with hot water
and some tea bags, and a pie - and went across the street.
"Hi, I'm your new neighbor right over there and it looks like
maybe it is time you all had a rest and something to eat. I'll just
spread this cloth over the front steps and you all get some strength
back. I'll pour the coffee. By the way, my name is ... and I live right
over there. If you need a phone or to get on line, feel free to come on
over. I will be home all day. If there is anything I can do to help, let
me know. Otherwise, I'll just stay out of your way while you get
settled. I know all the folks around here and if you need a bunch of
hands for anything, just let me know. We will all be glad to help, and
welcome to the neighborhood."
This is "casting your bread upon the waters."
Much of the privilege of reaching people with the gospel is done
without fanfare and sometimes without a word of gospel testimony being
spoken the first few times we meet. A casual word about praying or going
to "church" after awhile gives a new acquaintance a little
understanding of who you are. "Good works" and soul-winning go well
together. Don't spread yourself too thin. Take time to pray each day
that the Lord will allow you to make contact in some way with someone.
If the person is a Christian, rejoice in the blessing of "doing good to
all men, especially those of the household of faith." There may be
several days go by when you have not been able to make a connection with
an unbeliever. At least use the phone to call one of God's saints who
may live alone and have a talk about something that can cheer their
heart. If you have someone of special interest in your life, ask for
prayer and if possible pray over the phone with that person.
Fellowship in prayer is part of "casting your bread upon the waters."
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