“But though he had
done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the
saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath
believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? (John
12:37-38 KJV)
City water
department workers were replacing old water lines and they watched as Alma and
Leo set up the ladder in their front yard by the apple tree. As the
husband-wife team began picking the fruit, two of the workers came over and
began helping. As their baskets filled up, Alma had an idea. “How many men are
in your crew?” she asked the city worker. “About eleven, I think,” he replied.
“Alright, as a thank-you for helping us, I am going to bake apple pie for the
whole crew. It will be ready on Monday morning at 10:00 am. Pie and coffee for
all of you.”
department workers were replacing old water lines and they watched as Alma and
Leo set up the ladder in their front yard by the apple tree. As the
husband-wife team began picking the fruit, two of the workers came over and
began helping. As their baskets filled up, Alma had an idea. “How many men are
in your crew?” she asked the city worker. “About eleven, I think,” he replied.
“Alright, as a thank-you for helping us, I am going to bake apple pie for the
whole crew. It will be ready on Monday morning at 10:00 am. Pie and coffee for
all of you.”
The crewman looked
at Alma in a quizzical manner. She could see that he was skeptical. Monday
morning, however, while the coffee was brewing, Alma and Leo set up a table in
the carport, then set out cups and desert plates along with forks and napkins
enough for the water crew. Then Leo went out and invited the crew to take a
break and enjoy apple pie and coffee in the shade. Soon silence surrounded the
community as heavy equipment was shut down. The workers sauntered over and sat
in lawn chairs around the table. But Alma counted only ten of them. “Where is
the other crewman? Didn’t you say there were eleven?” she asked. The crewman
who had helped pick the apples grinned as he said, “Yes ma’am there is another
man on our crew, but he chose to stay in the office today because he didn’t
believe you would have apple pie.”
at Alma in a quizzical manner. She could see that he was skeptical. Monday
morning, however, while the coffee was brewing, Alma and Leo set up a table in
the carport, then set out cups and desert plates along with forks and napkins
enough for the water crew. Then Leo went out and invited the crew to take a
break and enjoy apple pie and coffee in the shade. Soon silence surrounded the
community as heavy equipment was shut down. The workers sauntered over and sat
in lawn chairs around the table. But Alma counted only ten of them. “Where is
the other crewman? Didn’t you say there were eleven?” she asked. The crewman
who had helped pick the apples grinned as he said, “Yes ma’am there is another
man on our crew, but he chose to stay in the office today because he didn’t
believe you would have apple pie.”
(Adapted from a
story told by Alma Barkman in Guideposts)
Dear Father, thank
you for all your promises. Empower us with faith to believe and receive the
report of your Word and to act upon it. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for all your promises. Empower us with faith to believe and receive the
report of your Word and to act upon it. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today believing God,
courageous today believing God,