God Gives Us Opportunities

January 9, 2022
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius
When I was about twelve, I decided to mow lawns to make some spending money.  At fifty cents a lawn, did you know you need to mow a LOT of lawns to make any serious money?  By the time I began to work full time at the grocery store, I was mowing thirty-two lawns every week.  Mind you, there were no riding lawn mowers back then.  About half the lawns in Titonka were under my care! 😊
 
Before I was fourteen, I began working at the local grocery store.  One day, my boss, the store owner, asked of me, “How old are you?”  I said, “Thirteen.”  With surprise in his voice, he said, “Don’t tell anyone you’re only thirteen.  You need to be at least fourteen to work in a store.”  Sorry boss, I just spilled the beans.
 
Every morning before school, I was there at 6:30 AM until 8:15 AM and then I ran three blocks to school.  After school, I ran back to work at the store until closing time at 6:30 PM.  In the summer, it was a twelve-hour, everyday job, except for Sunday.  Stores were not open on Sundays.  That’s the way it should be today!
 
I enjoyed my job at the grocery store.  I did everything but mind the cash register.  The only time I cared about it was Saturday night when we lined up at the cash drawer to be paid.  I learned about stocking shelves, being a butcher, and interacting with people.  
 
God gives us all kinds of opportunities in which to learn.  I’m still using my ability to interact with people.  I have it down to three first time questions:

1. What’s your name?
2. Where are you from?
3. What do you do?

Later in life, I’ve added another question.  Where do you go to church?  Try it sometime.  It opens the door for you to witness to others.
 
Doing all I can to bring about God’s Kingdom here on earth.  How about you? (That’s a sneaky way to interact with you.) 😊
Give God the Glory,
Pastor Allan
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