It was hot as I walked along the side walk toward the next door... what will the people be like on the other side of this one?... kind? rude? will they buy any books? Will they give a small donation? Will they be willing to pray with me or be interested in studying the bible? There is really no way to be sure. As I look around for any clues as to what kind of people live here, I notice, No kiddie litter (ie kids toys/messes) - so probably no little kids. No leashes or doggy bowls - so probably no pets. Hmmm its pretty much a open chance house. Well here goes it all...
As I knock I wait patiently as I hear some movement in the house. An elderly woman opens the door and smiles. I smile back and am instantly filled with joy. Its not every house that the people smile when they see a door to door sales representative. As I start my little canvass she listens intently with a gentle smile. I noticed that there was something different about her, she has a peaceful feeling about her. She was wearing a older dress, but not fancy or anything. She wasn't decked out in jewelery, or plastered in makeup, yet she shone with inner and outer beauty. As I continue my canvas i notice one thing that glimmers with the sun, a simple watch.
As I look at the watch I notice several things about it, its simple yet it seems to be something special to her as I see that she touches it fondly. Why does this lady stand out? What makes her so special? Why does she shine with a innter glow?
As we continue our conversation she states that she is a Seventh-day Adventist, and slowly the pieces fall together. She married a pastor a long time ago and had been a colpouterer in her younger years. Back in her day, it was not typical for a SDA to wear jewelry. So instead of wedding rings, devoted couples would give watches. That simple, yet priceless watch was her token of promise that before both God and Man that she would be faithful to her husband through sickness, and health, for better or for worse.
It was beautiful to meet such a strong woman for God. As I reflected on this encounter I noticed some simple lessons. Both she and the watch had gone through pain and hard times, but age, while dimming both from the shiny young appearance, smoothed out a deeper glow. In time a rough rock by the beating of the relentless ocean will slowly erode to a smoother face. And so it is with a human life, when surrendered to Gods "beatings" will eventually have a smooth face- one that reflects a life of hard toils and eternal joy.
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