"We stop everything !"

"Seizing the opportunity because the days are bad ..." Ephesians 5. 16

We are in the years 1940-1945 on the Plateau Vivarais-Lignon, in the center of France. It's autumn, the time to beat the cereals. To do this, the thresher is brought from farm to farm, pulled by oxen.

That day, "we beat" in a Christian family. It's a great job ; A dozen neighbors came to help. And now, in the middle of the building, a servant of God arrives unexpectedly ; He is unaware that this is a day when everyone is very busy with the hype. He used to make visits to the area for a long time, he is well known to all and esteemed for his gift as pastor. On seeing him arrive, the mistress of the house goes to meet him to greet him cordially. Then, overpowering the sound of the building site with her loud voice, she cries to the men who work : "It's a pause, we stop everything! So men stop the machine; When each one is installed for a well-deserved meal, she adds : "The preacher is there, he will present the Word of God." After restoring each one, everyone listens respectfully for a few minutes to the preacher who came unexpectedly to present the gospel.

The reaction of this housewife facing this unexpected and somewhat disturbing visit is remarkable! It is an example on several points :

- she was occupied with the salvation of the souls of her neighbors ;

- she considered the work of God more pressing than her own labors ;

- she had great courage ;

- it seized the opportunity ;

- she had great respect and consideration for the bearer of the Word ;

- finally, she believed in the Word of God as a source of life and encouragement.

This unusual story is of another time. It has been carefully preserved in the memory of the servant's family. The gospel was announced thanks to a moving servant and a woman who gave more importance to the gospel than to her affairs.

"Remember your leaders who have spoken to you the word of God, and consider the outcome of their life (or their way of life), and imitate their faith." (Heb. 13. 7)

Source (To pleasing the Lord)