I was able to take a friend out for lunch recently who has visited our church for many years. He is still exploring faith and has some intellectual disability, causing him to ask many of the same questions as a 7-year-old. It can be frustrating at times but also incredibly wonder-filled. We went out to a Mexican restaurant, where he ordered a burger and French fries. He was laughing about how funny it was to order a cheeseburger at a Mexican restaurant. He smiled big when the food came and laughed when the waiter brought him a refill of his Pepsi, committing to drink it all or take it home in a “to-go” cup.
As we sat and ate, conversation wandered all over the map. We talked about things of great and little significance, and I shared scriptures with him about the love and authority of God in his life. He has a lot of questions about spiritual powers and the forces at work behind what we can see. I continue to invite him to know Jesus in a relationship and to walk in the light God provides still today by His Spirit. We agreed that many things in this world are confusing.
I asked him what other things in this world are confusing, and in the midst of his response he mentioned “donut boxes”. “They’re so hard to put together. They’re flat, but you’re supposed to put donuts in them. I just don’t even try.” It was a humbling reminder for me of the simple things we take for granted. I pointed out there was a Meijer right across the street, and I’d be happy to take him over there and do a quick lesson on donut-box-assembly. He smiled big again, and agreed that would be a great use of our time together.
We slowly assembled a good 6 or 7 boxes, putting them up on the donut case afterward for other people to use (hopefully). Then I asked if he’d like some donuts. His eyes got big for a moment, but then he responded calmly, “No that’s okay. You bought me lunch already, and that’s enough.” I told him, “Well, this time it’s not me. Jesus wants to buy you the donuts, He just wants to buy them through me.”
He chuckled a bit. “Jesus doesn’t have any money.” I explained to him my belief, all resources belong to God. God can use anything, big or small, to accomplish His purposes, and in this case it meant getting him some donuts. He reluctantly agreed to let Jesus buy him some donuts. He picked a couple apple fritters, a chocolate glazed, and a cinnamon donut.
I scanned the barcode. It was $3.95. Without thinking, I entered my phone number for the “Meijer Perks”, because I do it whenever we shop there. Immediately the screen popped up: “You have $4 in your Meijer Perks Account. Would you like to use it now?”
Even my eyes grew big this time. We hardly ever shop at Meijer, because it’s on the other side of town. I looked at my friend to make sure he noticed what was happening. “Do you see? Not only did Jesus want to buy you donuts, but He wanted you to know it was Him…not me.” He couldn’t believe it either, and we both walked out feeling like God had offered us a wink in the form of a donut. He sees us, and cares about our day – even the seemingly insigificant moments.
I don’t think my friend is ready to put his entire life into the hands of Jesus yet, but it was a fun memory to be a part of. It’s one more moment nurturing the seeds of faith. May we all look for more moments of joining (or becoming aware of) the Love of Jesus. His Love is working even now, to draw us all into greater awareness if we’re willing to take notice…
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3
words from wick 