Ever
heard the jokes about a priest, a rabbi and a minister who walk into a bar? Well, here
is a new one.
I, Connie, a 6 ft blonde, married for almost 18 years, and a missionary walk into the
bar… and I’m given $100.
Now that you heard the punch line, let me tell you the story.
One of my favorite people and best friends, Caroline, got married yesterday. I
drove to Alabama with another friend on Tuesday to prepare for the celebration.
Not only did I have the honor of being a bridesmaid, but also her decorator.
We began immediately with last minute errands, organizing, list making,
and hard labor.
Before we knew it, it was Thursday night… the Bachlorette shower!
Planned by the maid of honor, Caroline and I showed up to another
bridesmaid’s home where gifts were given and food enjoyed. As planned, once the
party died…a handful of us drove to downtown Birmingham to check into our hotel
for the night and hit a couple bars. *Cha-ching.
I disagree with drunkenness, it has the potential to lead to making poor
decisions, not to mention, can be costly in many ways. With that said, yes, I
occasionally have a drink. Many of my friends drink – I don’t judge. *Cha-ching I frequent bars seldom. The
most time I spend in bars have been in ministry overseas.
As 2 am rolled around, we left one bar and walked to another. One where few people
were hanging out in. A place for us girls to hang out, bond, laugh, and enjoy
the music. Here’s what happened next.
HIM: Hey, what’s your name? This is a great Journey song. I bet you don’t even
know who that is.
ME: Connie, and yes, I recognize the song. My HUSBAND and I saw them in
concert.
HIM: No way! You are too young. How old are you? 24? 25? 26? 27?
ME: Stop. I’m 39 going on 40.
HIM: Whoa! I guess you are old enough to know who they are! And dude, you are
older than ME!
I laugh and walked away, flattered that he thought I was younger than I am.
I watched this man striking up conversations with the others. Like I said, the
place was near empty. I kept requesting 80’s music…and enjoyed watching my new
friends celebrate Caroline. It took 2 hours for me to drink my one Blue Moon. *Cha-ching. At this point my ears were
ringing and I was getting tired. So when the gals wanted to move to the back
patio for fresh air…I was all over it.
Then a funny thing happened. “Him” walked over to me again. In my mind I was
thinking… “Please go away, close talker“.
HIM: So what do you do for a living?
ME: I do missions and humanitarian work.
HIM: Like what? Are you a Lutheran?
ME: Nope. I’m a Bible believing individual…non-denominational.
HIM: I’m a **** and a sinner and I’m going to hell.
ME: I’m a sinner and I’m going to heaven. No need to go to hell.
HIM: I don’t go to church.
ME: (laughing) Good, I don’t either. *Cha-ching
I mean, I don’t go every week. You don’t need to go to love God.
HIM: I like to go out on my boat and fish on Sundays instead.
ME: Well, God doesn’t just exist in a church building. Do you believe God can
be anywhere?
HIM: Umm, yes.
ME: God’s on the boat fishing with you. You know He still talks…right? I bet if
you talk to Him next time you are out there, He will talk back. Just listen for
Him.
HIM: I see Him in your eyes.
ME: What?
HIM: I see Him in your eyes. You are a good person.
ME: Thank you! I’m happy to hear that. Consider this possibility…. that God sent
me here to tell you He knows you exist, that He hears you, that He loves you
and you don’t need to go to hell.
HIM: Thank you! What is your next trip?
ME: Thailand in a couple weeks.
HIM: What will you be doing?
ME: Funny you should ask. I’ll be working in bars telling girls in there the
same thing I just told you.
HIM: I want to give you some money.
ME: OK!
HIM: Here is a $100. Do good with it. You know I have a wife and 2 kids. A 5
year old and a 3 year old. I’m a bad man.
ME: God loves you and knows your heart.
HIM: Thank you for telling me that. Please help those women. They need to know
too.
I broke a rule. I gave him a hug and my business cards. I told him I’d pray for
him and his family. I also told him that if he wanted to send in $100 each
month to help, that I would gladly take it! We both laughed.
As we left at 4:30 am (5:30 am my time) he came over to say once again, to say
thank you.
As we turned the corner, I looked at Caroline and the other bridesmaids and
said, “Guys, I made $100 tonight!” We shared a laugh that of all people,
of all places… God is at the Bachlorette party! What a testimony.
We called it a night and walked to our hotel.
*Cha-ching… the sound of money. Either
I will gain or lose prayers and support over this blog.
Or, the angels in heaven will rejoice.
YES! I LOVE IT!!! I am completely convinced that if Jesus were here (in the flesh) today, He would hang out in bars and have very similar conversations. Just like He hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors back in his day. He loves being with “sinners”!
So glad you were there to share the love of Christ with that man! Thanks for sharing the story with us!
Nice Connie! Although, I have to admit, I haven’t suggested that approach during our mission trip training where we talk about fund raising… Maybe I need to add that! Praise the LORD! I love that He’s always out there surprising us with how and through whom He works! You go GOD!
I do love this story. I seem to remember stories of a guy who hung a tree to offer us life who spent time in places that made the religious people of his day wince. I don’t know if he had a Blue Moon or not, but he had compassion and did not wait for people to find him in the sanctuary. He brought sanctuary to them. Love you.
Jesus hung out with sluts, thieves, liars, beggars, murderers, blasphemers and such like me. Thankful that he died for them as well as me. Unconditional love – check.
This brought tears to my eyes!! So so good, friend! thank you for sharing. Needed to hear this.
You are awesome! I love the way that you are always ready to give an answer for the Hope that you have in Christ.
Connie,
Great life story.
Thanks for sharing.
Connie!!! Thank you SO much for posting this! You have no idea what an encouragement this is to me :). This is what brings me alive and I love hearing God work through you that way…at Caroline’s bachelorette party of all places. I love how God works. I so wish I could have been at her wedding to celebrate with her and you guys too. Thanks for being such a great friend to her. And thanks for sharing God’s love wherever you go!!
You always have our prayers and support! I love hearing how God is everywhere!
Lots of love and safe travels!
Wanda
Inspirational!!!
Love this blog. Living it…
A great story!! God is always everywhere. We need to remember that.
This is soo good! I love this story 🙂
Great story! And sounds to familiar… The man that came to the bar every sat. and ordered a coke would witness to my mother who worked there. As a sigle parent of two little girls, the job was all she could find. That man lead her to the Lord and saved her life. God can meet you anywhere. You are a Godly woman and an inspiration.
I love it, had to laugh partly out of coping through numerous responses your post provoked. Grt story of Connie being Connie, so Jesus could be Jesus.
Oh Connie…I love you and I love how great God is that if we are willing He will always provide opportunities to share Him! Im so blessed to have spent that time with you and will never forget it! Love you!
C
This is amazing!! You sound like my type of gal. I look forward to meeting you this week.