The following is a short story I wrote based on the article with the same name.
Kris leaned back so that he could hear the waitress better as she chatted with the people behind him. “I am just so tired, you know? With Mother in the hospital losing blood and the doctors not being able to find where it’s coming from, I’m at my wits end. On top of that I have to show up for work, all the while feeling guilty that I am not there for her. When I get off I go sit with her and all she can say is ‘I want to go home’. To be honest I think we’d both get more rest if she was home. I don’t know what to do anymore.”
The words of Pastor George’s last sermon came back to Kris then: “Why not give it a chance and experiment with your Christianity. See what it can do in the real world? The worst that would happen is nothing would change. The best that could happen is the lost would get found and Christians would feel empowered to try even greater experiments with their Christian faith. Come on People of the Cross! Let’s begin the Christian Experiment!”
Part of him wanted to do just that, but another part of Kris thought “Not now, not here not during lunch with the boss! But what if it worked? What if he prayed for that lady's mother and she got healed? Not just one but two lives might get touched for Christ.”
But if she didn’t, he would look like a religious nut in front of his boss. His boss knew he was a Christian; that was the reason they had lunch together once a week. His boss was curious about his faith and wanted to talk about Christianity and try to understand it. Pastor George’s again sounded in his mind: “Faith without works is dead.” Time to start the experiment Kris decided.
Seeing the waitress headed their way Kris swallowed the lump in his throat and turned to his boss. “Mister Reynolds, for the last few weeks we’ve had lunch and you’ve asked me a ton of questions about my faith. Today I am going to show you what I have been talking about.”
“What do you mean?”
As the waitress approached the table Kris looked straight into his boss eyes “Just watch.”
“Hi fellas, my name is Susan and I’ll be your waitress today. Can I get you a drink or are you ready to order?’
“Actually Susan, I couldn’t help but overhear what you said about your mother. Do you mind if I pray for her before we order?”
With tears in her eyes Susan nodded, “Please do.”
Kris, taking her hand, bowed his head and called out to God. “Father I know you heard Susan’s heart cry the same as me. I ask now in the name of your Son Jesus and in the Authority he gave to his believers that you reach down and heal Susan’s mom right now. Let the bleeding stop and the doctors release her today. Let her come home like she and Susan both want. Oh, and God, give Susan peace till then. Amen.”
Kris reached in his pocket and took out one of his business cards jotting his cell number on the back. He gave it to Susan with a smile, “When the doctor releases your mom today I want you to call and let me know. Okay? I think I will have the special with a coke.”
Staring at him with shock, Mister Reynolds ordered the same thing. Susan thanked him as she went off to place their order. Kris explained about the challenge his pastor had given to try the Christian Experiment this week. That led to more questions from the boss and the lunch hour flew. They got their checks and headed to the cashier.
As Kris and Mister Reynolds got in their car to leave Susan came flying out of the restaurant yelling for Kris to wait “This God of yours, I want to know him! The hospital just called and said they are releasing my mother, her bleeding stopped about an hour ago. They’re letting her come home.”
Mister Reynolds added, “I’m ready too, Kris. This experiment of yours is very convincing.”
Right there in the parking lot the Christian Experiment bore the result of two new believers.
“This is what it’s all about,” Kris thought, “I wonder what’s next?”
The answer came just as quickly, “Look for the next opportunity to continue the experiment.”
“Okay God Show me.”
