"I'm not Jewish, but I want to be a Rabbi."

You're probably wondering about that title, eh? I realize it doesn't make sense, but it seemed fitting to lead into this post concerning an interesting young man I met at Melinda Lou's today.

So there I was, ordering my chicken wrap and Mandarin oranges. The cashier, who appeared to be pushing 40 years old, complimented me on what a "lovely family" I have. As she processed my order, the conversation lent itself to sharing that we are an adoptive family. She was touched by that and said that she too would like to adopt. She had two grown daughters, ages 23 and 22, and "six grandbabies."
Six???
And you're what, 40?
Wow! This is one very young, blessed grandmother I was talking with.

Now, at the same time a young guy was standing at the counter next to me, chiming in here and there so I knew he was related to the cashier somehow. I assumed he was her son-in-law. Eventually, he said "my grandkids" and I thought, "Whaa??? But you're only about 25 years old. How the heck would you have any grandkids?" That's when the cashier told me he was her husband.

Bug-eyed, "What???" (prayin' hard that I didn't say it out loud). So he came into his Grandpa role by way of marriage. Ah,light bulb on.

So, Young Grandma and Cradle Robbed Grandpa were a couple.
Married.
Hitched.
Sheesh! (I know, I know. It's a free country and all that jazz.) But folks it was a bit surprising as I took it in and we've only just begun.

Grandpa Cradle, being as chatty as a bunch of ladies at a sewing circle, wanted to know more about our experiences with foster parenting. He shared that he was a child of "the system" himself and was in fact adopted from it. He hoped that he and his wife might someday be foster parents too. As I'm always up for encouraging others to consider foster care and foster-to-adopt, I thought his dream was wonderful. Well, at least until he told me about the day he walked home to Indy from Cincinnati because he didn't have "a ride home from prison." You know, I'm not a social worker and I can't say with 100% certainty (what with lacking professional credentials and all) but I'm thinking a stint in the big house might be a barrier to foster licensing. I'm not certain, you understand. I'm just sayin'.


So anyway, he spoke positively of being adopted as a child, stating, "My adoptive parents are in the ministry and my Dad's a pastor." I'm thinking, "Gosh, that's really cool."

Then he goes, "And I'm thinking of becoming a pastor myself," and I thought, "Wow, very cool," as I shared out loud that maybe God would someday use his personal experiences (prison, foster care, adoption) to minister to others. But uh, that's when he he shared, "Yeah, but I'm not saved."
(I'll pause here for a moment to let that sink in. This would be a good time to consider my post title too, to see why I went with it.)

RECAP: "I'm thinking of becoming a pastor myself, but I'm not saved."
Speechless.
Grandpa Cradle left me dumbfounded and speechless.
I mean,...whadda you say to that?
"SoOoo,...what direction do you want your cult to take?"
"Excuse me, but did you say 'Pastor' or 'pasture'?"
"You do know that salvation is a highly preferred prerequisite for seminary, right?"

Needless to say, I nearly burst out laughing. I mean, it really struck my warped funny bone. And then, as I stood there fighting the urge to explode with a giggle, he had to go and do it. He whipped up his shirt sleeve and showed me an enormous tattooed cross, stating, "Every time I look at this, I know there's something I need to do." (do NOT laugh, Toni. BITE! YOUR! TONGUE! But do NOT laugh).
What could I say? I wholeheartedly agreed and told him God isn't waiting for him to be perfect, more ready, or anything else. That God is ready to meet him right where he's at, just as he is. I trust that either a seed was planted in that moment or perhaps a little water was sprinkled on an already planted seed.

So that's it. My strangely odd, yet somehow endearing encounter with Grandpa Cradle. Folks, you just never know where and/or how God is going to use you.
But one thing is certain. He will put people in your path whom He desires to draw near to Him. Ready! Be ready.

"How shall they believe in Him who they have not heard?" Rom. 10:14.

Toni