Sun, Smiles, and a Little Jesus
Published 9:04 am Friday, September 27, 2024
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By Michael Klaus, Sr. Minister
First Christian Church Elizabethton
We are blessed here in the South with fall festivals in one small town after another. From apple festivals to pumpkin festivals, and even a mullet festival in Niceville, Fla. (and yes, mullet is a fish). In my small town, we have a historic covered bridge, so naturally, we celebrate “Covered Bridge Days.” All the roads in the historic district are closed, and we line the streets with craft booths, food trucks, and live music on the stage by the bridge, with the beautiful Doe River as the backdrop. It’s a grand time.
This year, our church set up a canopy tent and invited people to let their children play a simple “Pick the Duck” game. The prize? A small snack. We also gave away drinks and even small figurines of Jesus. The question we heard over and over was, “How much does it cost?” To everyone’s astonishment, we told them it was free.
Some things should never cost anything: a cool drink of water, a smile, and a kind conversation should all be free.
Over the course of Friday and Saturday, we met hundreds of people who simply needed a friendly exchange. In a world where everyone seems to be trying to get something out of us, people can’t recognize when someone is just trying to give them a smile – at no cost. We’re used to road rage, work tension, and people who can just be plain mean.
Did our tent make a huge difference in the world? Did we effect major change? Maybe not. But for the people who stepped into the shade of our canopy, we weren’t trying to get something from them. We just wanted to give something to them. That’s something that should be more common. It’s what Jesus taught us: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
I think most of us enjoy a good exchange with friends, neighbors, or even strangers – a kindness that goes beyond what the world usually offers. Thank God for sun, smiles, and a little Jesus.
All Photos by Michael Klaus
