'Hello? Can You Help Us?"

Imagine putting down $2000 for a vacation "dreamhouse," only to find that it was more of a "nightmare!" Further imagine that you are in a town where you know no one...no one at all! What do you do? To whom do you turn? Add to the confusion the three small children you have with you to whom you promised a wonderful and exciting vacation! I wonder what YOU would do!

On Thursday evening, June 11, 2009, as I sat with my wife watching some television my cell phone rang! Who would be calling me so late on my cell phone? Is there some type of an emergency with one of our grandchildren? All of you know the thoughts that go through your mind when you get an unexpected call rather late in the evening, right?

The voice of a young lady asked, "Is this the preacher for the Williamsburg Church of Christ?" To which I glad said, "It is." "I need help!" was the quick reply. It seems they were in Surrey in a house they had rented and the actual house did not "exactly" look like the one in the brochure. It was not a pleasant situation for these four adults and three children. "Can you help us?" was the next response. Confused a bit, I asked, "How can I help you?" "Can you find us a place that will house seven people?" "Well, there are hundreds of rooms here in Williamsburg and they offer superior service," I proudly stated. I mentioned a few of the places that I thought would be able to handle such a large number and told them how to find them. "Really?" the young mother asked. "Absolutely, I have no doubt that arrangements can be made that will satisfy your needs," I quickly added.

After we got this all straightened out, she asked my name. I told her that I was Bill Butterfield. In the background I heard another lady shout, "Bill Butterfield? Bill Butterfield from Parkersburg, West Virginia?" Again, I said, "That's me!" These folk were from Bearwallow Ridge, Ohio (yes, there really is a place by that name) where my father had preached many times and I had gone with him a lot of those times. (When you are a "preacher's kid," you go to church a lot!) "Do you remember Frank Clark?" "Of course I remember him and told them exactly where he lived." "That's my grandfather!" the young lady shouted. Then I told her that my first girlfriend (the letter writing kind!) was from Bearwallow Ridge!

Well, they spent the night there and talked to the landlord the next day (who happened to be on his honeymoon and was not excited about being interrupted) and worked things out in some form. They met me at the church building on Merrimac Trail the next morning, much to my surprise, to thank me for talking to them and helping them to see things would work out! After they took my picture so they could show the folk back home, they went on their way to see the historic wonders of our little town!

Why did I share this with you? One simple reason! Those of us who are Christians are a part of a much, much larger family! No matter where you go, you will find brothers and sisters in the Family of God eager to help out others in the Family! If you are not a part of the Christian family, you have no idea what you are missing here and hereafter!

Same Order...Different Service!

I wonder what the difference is? Those of us who call Williamsburg home are blessed to live in a community that is very diverse...very diverse! The diversity seen here is often limited to much larger cities where crossroads of the world meet. Our little town with its streets lined with beautiful shade trees and houses reminding us our antiquity is at the center of the history of our great country. However, it is, also, a place that many foreign students flocked to each year to work in the numerous service projects available. I remember asking one young man, who was thousands of miles from home, why he would leave home to be a waiter at IHOP. His response was simple, "I can make more money here waiting tables during the busy season than I can at home in a year!" There you have it, but that's not my point!

What fascinates me is the difference in cultures. I frequent McDonald's restaurant each day with the same drive-through order: "large unsweetened iced tea with ten Splendas." The window is served during the summer by young adults from the far east who are so different than those who have the same job in the fall and winter. The "summer" crew is polite, courteous, and greet the consumer with a "Good morning!" and a hardy "Thank you for coming!" They will go out of their way to be sure your order is correct. It is very refreshing! However, during the "off season" one gets no conversation, no greeting, and often an incorrect order. It is not very pleasant to be served in such a bland, non-friendly manner.

If I am not mistaken, most of these young adults are about the same age with nearly the same education, but there is a difference! While some are sullen and appear to be angry, the others are smiling and enjoying their opportunities. What makes these young adults so contrasting?

Could it be the influences that have shaped their lives? Could it be the difference in parenting styles? Could it be while one appreciates the chance to improve his life, the other believes the world owes him a life? The answer to the previous three questions is probably , "Yes!"

Is it any wonder that the consumer gets a bit frustrated with some while not so with others? Without the consumer there would be no jobs for these young adults. There would be no places to work...even minimum waged jobs! I know flipping hamburgers all day and getting someone's "large unsweetened iced tea with ten Splendas" is not the same as discovering the cure for some dreaded disease, but it is better than having nothing to do at all, right?

Be grateful for small blessings, at least, until your blessings can be larger!