Pickles and Prayer

  

  

Hard to believe it has been about 4 years since my last post.  Thoughts come to mind and I think I am going to sit down and write about it and then I let life get a hold of my moments.  Well, actually, it isn't always life.  Most often it is Facebook and TV.  But today I sit down and share my thoughts.
   Our son, Pete Jr., has always loved to cook.  I remember when he was in 6th grade that he wanted to make crepes.  Crepes!?  I had no idea how to make crepes.  Pete got out a cookbook and went to work and he did a fine job.  He has made some wonderful dishes since then and we have taken great pleasure in eating what he prepared.  Cooking and entertaining has been something that he has enjoyed since childhood.   It was wonderful that he married a young woman who shares his love for entertaining.  When God called them into missions it never crossed my mind that their gifts of hospitality would be part of the call.  They moved into an old European town to help an established church, as well as a church plant. 
   Pete and Renee have used their love for cooking to reach out to the locals.  They had to find substitutes for ingredients that are readily available here, but not in Bulgaria.  They did not let that dissuade them.  Pete made zucchini bread for folks in their community one year.  Renee has made beautiful sugar cookies for neighbors, teachers and friends.  They have had youth in their home to make American pizza and the list goes on.  Pete and Renee's landlord has enjoyed sharing some of his specialties like sour cabbage and homemade pickles with them.  For the past two years Pete has asked to learn how to make the pickles.  Recently, their landlord told him what they would need and Pete was ready for the task.  His landlord ended up not being able to help but he sent his brother.
   While they were in the midst of preparing the cucumbers Pete sensed that he needed to talk to this man about Jesus.  He silently prayed, "I do not know how I am going to bring this up so I am trusting You to open the door."  It wasn't a few minutes later that this man began to talk about church and how he believed all faiths worshiped the same god.  The door was opened and Pete stepped right in.  He was able to share Jesus.  He offered the man a Bible but he said his wife probably already had one.  They talked some more and the topic of Jesus came up again.  This time the man asked if the Bible was written in his language.  Pete assured him that it was.  He said he thought he would like to take it home with him to read.  The rest of this story has yet to be written, but I will be waiting to hear more.
   I was reminded, once again, how difficult we make sharing our faith.  One of my pastors said that evangelism is often like picking fruit.  We share our own faith story and let the Holy Spirit do the work.  When the Holy Spirit has softened the heart we have the blessing of picking the fruit.  I am so thankful that God gives us gifts and abilities that we really enjoy that can be used by Him.  I hope that when I eat a pickle I will remember to pray for those around me who need Jesus.  Pickles and prayer - a great way to share the love of Jesus.