The Bottle of Water

By Lane Loman, FAS Speaker

The mail was late! It usually is when our regular carrier does not deliver the mail. The doorbell rang, and I saw a young man dressed in standard United Postal Service garb standing at the door. I opened the door and greeted him. Holding the cold bottle of water my wife, Gretchen, leaves for our mail carrier (she does that every day), he said, “I wanted to tell you that you have a package.”

I saw the package in the porch chair, and then he asked, “Is this water for me?”

“Yes, sir! My wife leaves a bottle in the mailbox every day during warm weather! It’s her ministry!”

He told me his name and asked, “Are you a person of faith?” I responded in the affirmative, telling him I was a minister.

He said, “I am a person of faith, but I am not very good at it.” Our substitute mail carrier was very transparent as he shared his story. I tried to encourage him, reminding him of God’s unceasing love regardless of his admitted failures. I asked if I could pray for him. He let me!

After learning he did not have a church home, I told him about our church. He seemed genuinely interested, so I informed him of service times and the location. The following verse took on new meaning as he walked away saying, “I hope you have a great day!”

“Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” Mark 9:41