The Craigslist Pastors

I have been on the hunt for some fun pieces for my new business venture. I look for old furniture that I can get creative with. I made two appointments to go see a couple pieces, that was last night.

The first house we went to was here in town. I found a super cute little two drawer dresser that we are keeping in our home. I made a deal with the owner and the piece was mine.

As we made small talk, we somehow got on the topic of churches in Lebanon. Kendal mentioned that he could see 4 churches from a corner right outside our very own church doors. The sellers of the little dresser were curious about church. They wanted to know what it looked like and how many people attended.

As we walked out to the car they saw our 4 boys in their 4 car seats and asked their names. She replied with, "oh, old testament names." I had to correct her and then she said, "wasn't the name Abram the name the Muslims gave God?" I didn't know, Kendal didn't really know.

We kindly shook hands and nodded and said our courteous goodbyes.

When we got in the car I told Kendal that it is interesting how God can work, even through Craigslist. I told him that while we were standing there visiting with them, I had prayed that they would be able to sense the Lord while we were there. That they would feel the pull of Christ. I joked to Kendal that it would be funny if we came up with a new ministry..."the Craigslist Pastor." We laughed when we said that the new disclaimer for Craigslist is going to be, "report scammers and Jesus pushers."

We dropped off the dresser and then drove to Albany, for our next piece to look at. This one is for the little business and I was hoping to get a good deal.

We find the house and it is apparent that she is cleaning it out. As in, no one lives there.

We pulled up, Kendal and I got out of the car and she had us come into her garage. It smelled of cigarettes and old 70's stuff.

I saw the piece, and asked if she knew anything about it. She replied that it was the first dresser that her parents had ever purchased and so she knew it to be 45 years old, the same as her.

I pulled drawers open, I pushed on the insides, I wiggled and jostled it. Seemed to be okay, just need some sprucing up and some new handles. (I do have ideas for it!)

I told her I would take if she would take $20 for it. She would.

Kendal went to go pull the truck up for easier loading. So, while he had stepped away, I made small talk and asked, "are you, moving out?" She said that it was her Mother's home and she had just passed away in November. I said, "Oh, I'm so sorry." I tried to empathize with her and I asked if it was a really hard task for her to be doing this? She came back with, "you have no idea." Then she goes into the details of her past year.

She lost her husband to cancer January, 2011 after taking care of him for quite some time. Then, in April 2011, her Mother found out she had cancer, she was also took care of her until she passed in November. (and she said that her Mother was the easiest patient). She told me that she is losing her home in Lebanon and is going to have to move into her Mother's old house there in Albany.

Can you imagine how she must be feeling? Can you even wrap your mind around how hard her life is? Everything that was her safety and that she loved are now all gone, in one, short year.

Her eyes filled with tears and I asked if I could give her a hug, she received it. I wrapped her up as tightly and cozy as I could. It was nice that I was a smidgen taller than her so I could easily envelop her. As I hugged her, I just whispered how sorry I was, and that I understand the sting of grief and that I hope it gets easier very soon.

I, of course, had tears and she seemed to be able to connect with me and accept the comfort.

Kendal walked up with the checkbook. We had settled on $20, and he starts to write. As smooth as I could, I slowly took the book and pen out of his hands without saying anything. I know he was wondering what the heck I was doing. I stepped back and while they visited, I wrote a larger amount, one that I hope she was able to get groceries, pay a past due bill, or help with something that took a burden off her shoulders. I handed her the check and she looked at it, and then looked at it again and said, "oh, no, I can't take that." Of course I said, "yes you can, I am purchasing this dresser for that amount and thank you very much." She just cried and said thank you. I hugged her again and told her that the Lord wanted me to give that to her.

Kendal loaded the dresser in the truck and I gave her another hug and let her know that I would be praying for her. She said, "thank you."

As we drove away, my heart just broke. I was so sad for her, she was all alone, worried about her dogs being misplaced from their home. I can imagine she was in financial trouble in other areas, not just her home and she had just spent the last few years serving her husband and mother only to have them leave this earth.

I am just praying that we can meet again and serve her. I am going to figure out a way to make that happen.

So, I guess I wasn't joking when I mentioned making this craigslist, furniture hunting thing a ministry. Watch out when you post something, you might have the Baptists knocking on the other side of your door :)