Next Saturday, in honor of “Small Business Shopping Day,” the Current River Sheltered Workshop Resale Shop is having a huge “SUPER SATURDAY SALE.” Before coming to work as the manager of the Workshop, I had no idea of how much time and preparation is needed before holding an event like this. It certainly doesn’t happen overnight. We have been washing clothes (Due to Covid19, we want all donations without tags, washed, unless stated otherwise.) We’re putting out new items in the store. We’ve been going through books and “bundling” them by author, genre, and for children – reading level. So that grandparents like me, can purchase several Level 1, 2, or 3 – depending on the age and reading level of the child. We’ve been saving toys back, so we can have a huge carport sale. Of course, these have to be sanitized – sprayed and wiped down and bagged, in order to be ready to go. We’re doing the best that we can. It’s been quite an ordeal already, and we’ve got another week to go. Hopefully, the end result will be that many in the community will come out and see the wonderful work going on at the workshop and support us in our efforts to enrich the lives of some very special people.
I believe that sometimes we, who have been Christians for many years, fail to remember and realize all of the work and effort it took to get us to where we are in our Christian walk. It didn’t happen overnight. We all started out as “babes in Christ,” and as Peter said, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word. . .” (I Peter 2:2). But through study, fellowship with other Christians, and prayer, new Christians should grow in faith. The Hebrew writer had come across some Christians that were stagnant in their growth. Hebrews 5:12-14 says, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Did you notice what it takes to be able to discern both good and evil? It takes “reason of use.” It takes preparation! I don’t even think about some of the things that I once struggled with as a new Christian. I made certain decisions about what I’ll do, how I’ll dress, and where I’ll be every Lord’s Day long ago, and I don’t have to make those decisions again and again. Being a Christian is a life-long commitment, no matter where we start in this life. Young “babes in Christ” should not be expected to know everything that someone who has been in the church for over 40 years, knows. I’ve been blessed to have had years of reading and studying God’s Word, using Scripture Writing Schedules to “write on my heart every word,” and being able to attend Bible classes where I was able to ask questions and listen to Godly men and women as they delved into God’s Word. It took years of study and commitment to get to where I am, and I’ve got a long way to go. We can never “study too much” or “pray too long.”
Of course, we’re all getting ready for that “big event” – the day that Christ returns. Preparation on our part will determine where we spend eternity. As we strive to live the Christian life, may we influence others to want to learn more about church and God’s plan of salvation. May we share the “good news.” May we reach out to help those in need. Oh, how we are “simply blessed.” Courtney
Very well said!!