Going Through The Motions

Rachel was a busy shop owner who had a husband and three kids. She lived in a small town in Alaska where she was raised. She felt alone even though she had family and friends around her. She had no reason to complain. Rachel’s shop was doing well, her kids did good in school and her husband Ben worked hard. She felt like something was missing though. Rachel was exhausted from her day. She closed up shop and went to pick up the kids from her Mom’s house. Then it was home to fix dinner and take care of her chores at home. Her husband would expect dinner when he got home.

Rachel cleaned up from dinner, made sure the kids had their homework done and did the laundry. Her and Ben were both so tired they showered and went to bed. Rachel remembered when they would kiss each other good night. She figured it was normal to be too tired for the little things. Well tomorrow was going to come and she needed her sleep. Rachel woke up the next morning before her family. She started coffee and breakfast. The kids and Ben were up and Rachel was packing lunches for everyone. Soon it was time to leave and start their day. It just seemed like they were just going through the motions of existing.

Rachel dropped her kids off at school and headed to her shop. After opening her shop customers poured through in spurts. It wasn’t until later in the day that she noticed a message left for her by a customer. The message read “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 You are not alone”. Rachel wondered who left this. She noticed when she read it that she had a strange pull on her heart. The back of the message had information for a local church. Maybe this was what she was missing, she needed to go to church. Rachel pondered the idea while finishing her day at the shop. It was time to close and go pick up her children.

The rest of the evening she kept mulling over the message that God gave His Son for her. Rachel couldn’t grasp the idea of giving one of her children up for someone. She had finished with the dinner dishes and tucked the kids into bed. She was sitting on the bed and asked Ben “Dear what do you think about going to church this Sunday”? Ben replied “Why the sudden interest in church”? Rachel told him about the note she received. Ben laughed “So some church goer leaves you a note and now you are itching to go to church”? Rachel hung her head “It’s not like that Ben! It’s something I feel a need to do”! Ben told her that if it meant that much to her they would go. She told him good night and that she loves him and he said he loves her too.

The next day Rachel was filled with a joy she couldn’t explain. She was looking forward to attending church with her family on Sunday. She had an employee that opened the shop for her on the weekends so she could take care of her family. She dropped the kids off at school and went to open the shop. Rachel paid attention to the customers and watched to see if another message was left. She really wanted to know who gave it to her and why. The day carried on and she stayed busy helping people. She went to wipe off the counter and noticed a cross laying there. It was a small wooden cross with a card for the church. Rachel knew now that she had to go Sunday.

It was Saturday and Rachel had a lot to do. She had to get clothes out for herself, the children and Ben. Her Mom called and Rachel told her about the message. She said that they were going to church the next day. Her Mom surprised her by saying that they would go with them. Rachel thought that it would be nice to have her parents come too. She decided to take special time aside to spend time with her children before dinner. Her and Ben had Sammy who was eight, Anna that’s six and the youngest Bella that’s four. Rachel pulled out a board game to play with them. She told Bella that she would help her. They laughed and had fun spending time together. Sammy said “Mama this was fun. I’m glad you weren’t too busy for us”. Rachel almost cried “Sweet Sammy, I am so sorry if I ever made you think I was too busy for you! I love you”!

After cleaning up from dinner and tucking the children in Rachel kissed her husband and told him she loves him. He asked what had gotten into her and she told him she didn’t know. Rachel “I just feel like things need to change. I miss how things were before I opened my shop. When we were more focused on each other and the children”. Ben “Honey I miss that too. I didn’t want to say anything and upset you”! He kissed her good night and told her he loves her. Rachel sat and thought about how one message was already starting to change their lives. She better get to sleep, she had to get up early. Rachel laid her head on the pillow and drifted off to sleep.

It was Sunday and Rachel was up before her family. She made coffee and pancakes. Ben was up and smiling. He offered to wake the children. After breakfast Rachel helped Anna and Bella get ready for church. The girls told her that they liked getting dressed up. Bella “Mommy will there be other little girls at church”? Rachel “Oh sweet girl I’m sure that there will be”. Ben walked into the living room and said “Well look at these three beautiful ladies I have in my life”! Anna laughed “Daddy Bella and I are little girls not ladies”. Ben said “I stand corrected”. When Sammy joined them in the living room Rachel told the two guys how handsome they were.

The family of five arrived at the church and were met by Rachel’s parents. They went in and found seats. A woman approached and welcomed them. She explained that they had a class for the children after the music, if the children wanted to attend it. Rachel thanked her and said she was sure they would like that. The service started with music about being washed in the blood, then one about amazing grace and chains being broken, with the last being about an old rugged cross. Rachel didn’t understand it, but something was stirring inside of her. This longing she had been having was pulling at her. The minister welcomed everyone and then he prayed. He started his message about being lost and lonely. He mentioned feeling like something was missing. Rachel wondered if he could see into her heart. The minister continued and explained how God sent His Son to die for our sins, that if we asked, Jesus would forgive us our sins. He said there was freedom in the arms of Jesus. Rachel understood the message that was left for her now. It was a message of salvation and forgiveness. The minister told them that if they had Jesus in their hearts they would never be alone. Rachel knew this is what was pulling at her. The minister asked if God was calling on anyone, if He was calling on them to accept Him today.

Rachel knew that God was calling her. She got up out of her seat and went up to the minister. Rachel asked the minister how she could accept Jesus in her heart. After he explained, Rachel asked Jesus into her heart. Tears rolled down her face as she realized that Jesus was what she was missing. Her husband and parents were very moved by what had just happened. Ben went up to his wife and held her hand as everyone came to greet her. The minister told her about being baptized and that they could do it next Sunday. Ben asked “Would I be able to get baptized too”? The minister asked if he had accepted Jesus as his Savior. Ben replied “I asked Jesus into my heart as a young man, but was never baptized”. The minister said he would arrange for them both to be baptized.

They all went out to lunch after church. On the way Rachel asked Ben why he never said anything about being saved. Ben replied " I was young when I accepted Christ in my heart. My parents never encouraged me to follow through on baptism and I just got sidetracked with life”. She responded “I can understand how that can happen. The main things is that we’re both getting on track now”. They enjoyed their lunch as a family and talked about how much they liked the church. Rachel was so thankful for the message and the cross. Her life was changing for the better and she was glad.

The next day Rachel and Ben were full of joy. Ben helped Rachel get things going that morning and got the kids up. He even made everyone’s lunches. Rachel couldn’t believe the change in her family already. Anna brought a picture she drew to her Mama. Rachel asked “Is this a family at church”? Anna answered “Yes Mommy, it’s us. Me, you, Daddy, Bubby, and Sissy”! Rachel told Anna that it was a beautiful picture and put it on the front of the fridge. Rachel loaded up the kids and left to drop them off at school. On the way the children were singing “Jesus loves me”. The sound of her children’s sweet voices warmed Rachel’s heart. Again she realized what a blessing that one message was.

Rachel kissed her kids and went to open her shop. While she was driving she listened to a radio station she found earlier. The station was a contemporary Christian station. Rachel found the songs and the commentary very uplifting. She pulled up at her shop, but sat and listened as the commentator spoke about prayer and talking to God. This was something she was going to start doing. She opened her shop and a tall middle aged lady came in. Rachel greeted her. The lady introduced herself as Susan and proceeded to tell Rachel how happy she was to see her at church. Rachel replied “We really enjoyed the services and everyone was so friendly”. Susan told Rachel that she wanted to congratulate her on accepting Jesus as her Savior. She handed Rachel a Bible. Rachel “I can’t accept this”. Susan explained that as a new Christian and part of the family of God, that she shouldn’t refuse a Sister/Brother in Christ a blessing. Rachel asked “How is it a blessing for you? I’m the one receiving the gift”. Susan talked to Rachel about God blessing the giver and the receiver. Rachel thanked Susan and graciously accepted the Bible.

When Rachel got home, after her routine of picking up the children, She talked to her children about how much God loves them. She told her children that things would be changing and that they are an important part of that change. Sammy, Anna and Bella told their Mama how much they love her. She hugged them and said “I love you three more than you could ever know”! Ben came home and the children ran up and hugged him. Ben asked what he did to deserve all this love. They explained that he was an important part of things being happier too. Ben laughed “I sure hope I am”! Ben wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her. The children said “Yuck”. Ben and Rachel laughed. He told Rachel how thankful he was that someone cared enough to leave her that message. Rachel told him that she met the lady “Her name is Susan and she gave me this beautiful Bible”!

That night before bed Rachel and Ben said prayers with their three children and thanked God for Susan. When they got to bed, Ben kissed his wife and told her that he loved her. He asked if she would want to go on a date Friday night. Rachel smiled and said there was nothing more she would rather do. Rachel talked to God before she went to sleep “Thank you God for saving me from my sins, thank you for letting me know I’m never alone, Thank you especially for Susan and the message she left. My life is forever changed for the better. God, my family is happy again. You were what I was missing all along”. Rachel drifted off to sleep. In the days and months to come Rachel and Ben had several dates as a couple and a family. Life felt so full and good. They attended church on a regular basis and were learning how to navigate the world as children of God. What an impact that one message made on their lives. Rachel no longer felt lonely and wasn’t just going through the motions anymore.