Cookies with a Message

There is no neighborhood watch in the subdivision across the street to my knowledge. But, even without it, we are persons of interest. Yep, the eyes of an entire neighborhood watch everything we do.

It's the place I go to run or to walk with my kids, and over the years, we've gotten to know some of the people who live in there. We actually used to live in that neighborhood and when we moved across the street, the scrutiny intensified. I honestly don't know what is so interesting about us, but everyone knows who we are, and everyone watches. One kind neighbor who remained anonymous put a baby gift in the mailbox after Jacob was born and another regularly drops off fresh veggies from their garden, from a third we inherit toys her grandchildren outgrow. It's really kind of funny, but in some ways I feel like I might be on reality tv. 

Lately I've felt a growing conviction that the revival churches pray for can start with a single person. Lots of people pray for revival and then wait for it to start. But, what if a million individuals begin doing the things that are a revival? If a million individuals answer this calling, to tell others about Jesus, in a million different places of work, school, home, shopping...what could be the outcome? I feel like if I want revival, it starts with me. 

More than that, if I want revival, it should begin in my home. Not only do I teach my kids to tell others about Jesus, but I do it myself. A walking, talking example of what I want them to one day do themselves. 

Something I've wanted to do for years, but never have done, is to invite my audience - the neighborhood- to church. Usually with the approach of Easter or Christmas, I think about doing it, but something always comes up. You know how that goes. 

 So, Friday I put my plan in action. Cookies. Lots of them. No one can resist a chocolate chip cookie, even Santa calls them his favorite. Plus, once I had six dozen cookies stacked in my kitchen, I had even more reason to follow through on my plan. There was no going back. 

Filling a bag with five cookies (we had to be conservative folks!), tying it with bakers twine and including a card with information about our church, we were ready to go. Silly as it may be, I prayed over my cookies! Asking God to use them, to take them as an offering of worship from this simple girl, to bless each person who ate them....and please, don't let me give anyone food poisoning! 

Saturday afternoon, while Kaylen lay asnooze in her bed, Jacob and I packed up the jogging stroller with our goodies, got Marlee buckled in and started off. Our first stop didn't answer, but the next several did, and we kept our message short and sweet, 

"We just wanted to stop by with some cookies and to invite you to our church!" 

I feel that even if no one visits our church as a result of our efforts, at least people know where we stand and Who we stand with. I was proud of Jacob too, bravely walking up to people and with his endearing sincerity inviting them to church. Walking home, I told him how proud I was of what he helped me do today, how Jesus loves it when we tell others about Him. 

We didn't make it to all the houses, we were hot and tired after about a dozen stops and we were almost out of cookies, so I decided one more stop and we'd call it a day. The last house we went to belongs to one of our friendly neighborhood walkers we see out and about. I just love him, he reminds me of my Papaw. Whenever we see him he has on headphones and carries a Walkman (remember those? ha! It's pretty cute!) and I always imagine that he is listening to sermons on tape. He just seems like he'd be a deacon at his church, or even the pastor. Guess what I found out today? He doesn't go! That obviously is no indication of the condition of his heart, you don't have to go to church to be saved, but I was just so sure he of all people would be the front row member of the First Baptist Church. It was a good reminder that you can never know who needs the Message and who does not, only God can see the heart!

I was hot and sweaty by the time we got back to our driveway, I'm sure I was glowing from the heat and exercise. Or I might have been glowing from the iridescent light of joy that comes from serving God. Whatever it was, I'm so glad that I stepped out in obedience today. If I want revival, it starts with me. 

And next time, let's do it in the morning. Ok?