They All Were the One

Have you ever felt a failure at soul winning? It seems like some people say the right thing, at the right time, to the right person and the harvest if plentiful. Of course, we are thrilled; but doesn’t the devil remind us that it’s been a loooong time since we could tell that story?

On the other hand, maybe you’re the street preaching, soul winner that has a hard time understanding why everyone isn’t out in the fields rescuing souls for God. You’re happy to be in the middle of what God is doing; but the devil always asks you where everyone else is while you are working so hard. You can’t fathom why some seem to sit on the sideline and let you do all the preaching.

Either way, I have a story for you…

Once Upon a Time

A miracle happened this morning. Mr. Cavender, a 45 year old, father of two, and successful medical equipment representative gave his heart to Jesus. He decided right there at Manna’s Table Restaurant, sitting across from Pastor Paul. It was a beautiful thing as great peace entered his heart and heaven sang.

You might say, “Wow, that Pastor Paul is amazing.” And right you would be. Pastor Paul is every bit wonderful.

But what about Brenda, who works the morning shift at Manna’s Table? She refills the coffee cups, takes the orders with quick wit and a ready smile. She never wipes a table without praying for the next guests who will sit there. She has her regulars and knows their troubles. Those she doesn’t know get an extra prayer and often a short encouragement in the Lord. “God bless y’all. Have a blessed day. God has given us a gorgeous day, hasn’t He?” Or whatever she thinks “works” in the conversation.

She has waited on Mr. Cavender for three years. Black coffee, 2 pieces of toast with grape jelly and a newspaper, if she can get it out of Coach Mike’s hands. He usually just wants the sports pages anyway. She prays for Mr. Cavender every weekday unless he is traveling. Even then, Brenda often remembers to ask the Lord to save Mr. Cavender. Brenda thinks of him as a friend.

You might say, “Man, that Brenda is something, isn’t she? She takes her waitressing job to a whole new level. She’s probably the reason Mr. Cavender is saved today.” Probably so. But let’s not forget Tom Rob.

Tom owns Manna’s Table Restaurant. He started there as a parking lot attendant while in high school. He worked all the way up to manager and when the original owner, Mrs. Donath, was wanting to retire and sell, Tom took all his savings, got a loan, and bought the place he loved so much. Tom has worked hard to keep it going.

Those nights when the repairs and supplies cost more than the pancakes he sold that day, he asks the Lord, why? He knows, without the Lord even answering. This is a place where families can come and enjoy a wholesome environment. He likes to play Christian music and offer reading materials that glorify His Lord and Savior. Lots of teenagers have worked for him and he takes every opportunity to tell them how much God loves them and gives them purpose. He loves to hear his employees sharing an encouraging word with patrons. THAT’S why he keeps paying the bills and sharing His Table with the community.

“Thank God for Tom!”, you say. Yes, indeed. Thank God for him. So, is he the reason for Mr. Cavender’s salvation? After all, he would have never met Brenda or Pastor Paul without Manna’s Table. Tom’s the hero, here. Yes, Tom and Dr. Sami.

Dr. Sami is a client of Mr. Cavender’s. Though most doctors and their staffs want all the free stuff they could get from Mr. Cavender, Dr. Sami is always giving. With the birth of each of his sons, Dr. Sami gave Mr. Cavender a huge care basket full of baby supplies. Remembering that Mr. Cavender loved the Houston Astros, each basket included a handmade baby blanket with the Astros logo right in the middle. Not just stuff, but Dr. Sami would find a way to share a scripture in every conversation. He didn’t preach or make Mr. Cavender feel uncomfortable, just always had the perfect word of wisdom for every situation. Mr. Cavender looked forward to sales calls to Dr. Sami more than any other. He was just nice.

Well, then, Dr. Sami gets the credit for Mr. Cavender’s salvation. Yes, he does. He showed Mr. Cavender what Jesus was really like, month after month. But let’s not forget Nana Jessie.

Nana Jessie wasn’t really his nana, nor was her real name Jessie. Her real name was Jessup Carleen Towler. She had lived next door to little Billy Cavender all his years of growing up. She was his sitter, when his mom was still at work. She came to most of his Little League games. As matter of fact, Nana Jessie was the one who taught him all about the Houston Astros. She would wear her Astros t-shirt and big orange baseball earrings and shout at the tv like a sports announcer. He loved her. He also knew there was one thing she loved more than baseball. She was crazy about Jesus. She was always praying for him and she let him know it. Despite his rolling eyes or “hmphs” when she would tell him she had prayed, Billy Cavender sometime hinted around for some of those prayers. “You gonna pray for me right, Nana Jessie? Haha.” As an adult, Mr. Cavender has considered those prayers some of the greatest gifts anyone has every offered.

Now that he is saved, Mr. Cavender knows that most of those prayers were for what happened this very morning at Manna’s Table. Nana wanted him to know Jesus like she did. Even in middle age, he knew that Nana Jessie loved Jesus more than anyone he had ever met. She definitely was responsible for clearing the way for Mr. Cavender to find Jesus.

Yes, Pastor Paul and Waitress Brenda and Owner Tom Rob and Dr. Sami and Nana Jessie are all “the one” who led Mr. Cavender to the Lord. Unbeknownst to them, they were operating as one body. One is the arm of strength, another the thoughtful mind, and still another the heart of compassion. And all of them salty, causing Mr. Cavender to be thirsty for something more in life.

“Thus the saying, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ is true”

John 4:37

Even an obstacle directs your path

Those are the cheerleaders along the way; but God also used the opposition to guide Mr. Cavender. Consider his boss, Mr. Mullin. Smart, on top of the corporate chain, beautiful home, lovely wife, and cranky and miserable as a man has ever been. His mind is constantly on how to squeeze more money from another deal. His cheating and conniving have paid in cash, no doubt; but Mr. Cavender has often wondered if Mullin could ever be happy. There had to be more to life than another great deal.

Seeing himself striving for the same empty rewards that Boss Mullin had accomplished, Mr. Cavender had begun thinking about real purpose in life. He knew people with much less “success” and much more contentment. That’s what he really wanted.

Even his best friend, Kyle, was drinking more and more to have a good time and “relax a little” after work. It seemed “relax” had become passed out cold in his recliner. Kyle was a great guy, but drinking had stolen his gusto for life. Every hour of the day was just one more closer to that longed for drink. Bill loved his friend, but that wasn’t life. There had to be more.

So, maybe, Mullins and Kyle had pushed Bill Cavender toward Jesus. They may be responsible for his decision to become a Christian. Of course, there was the unmentioned VBS teacher that taught Billy and a group of rowdy third graders all about Jesus’ great love for them. Mr Cavender also shared a flight with a born again, bathroom fixture salesman who shared a little of his testimony between here and Philly. And we will never know those who planned the VBS, bought the supplies, mowed the grass, drove the bus, paid the bills and gave the offerings to provide ministry throughout his life. But God certainly does. And because of their faithful efforts, Mr. Cavender will enjoy eternity in Heaven.

You may have even been responsible for the salvation of Mr. Cavender and never knew it. That’s how God works. We live our lives, pray our prayers, give our gifts, and tell our stories, all the while the Holy Spirit is drawing men unto Him. We all work the garden, but God produces the fruit.

“So, neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

1 Corinthians 3:7

And He is a Master Gardener.