'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!