40 by 40: Two or Three

In my goal to talk to 40 people about Jesus before I turn 40, it was time to make another push. Day two of my mission led me to two black ladies who believed and one who declined.

I was out for another Thursday night basketball park arrangement.  I had been seeking opportunities through the week, but hadn’t pushed myself, and today was my deadline. If I had not done it by now, I was going to do it now.

Too much activity shuts down depth opportunity

We started on the volleyball court which my daughter had been staking out the last three visits to the park. It now had some small groups of people playing on it.  I owed it to her to ask our way into a little play.  We played for a while, and I asked them about how they knew each other and how long they’d been playing together but really didn’t see any potential in that setting for conversation about Jesus so I told them I’d leave my daughter to enjoy the game with them. She’s better at keeping up with them anyway. The  I went off to scout opportunities around the playground while still keeping an eye on my girls.

I spent time on the bench praying for somebody to be sent to me, and I had determined that if somebody sat on the bench next to me, that would be the person I would talk to.  Turned out  it wasn’t long before our volleyball friends left & my own daughter wanted to sit next to me. She asked if I would be OK with her sitting next to me or if I wanted somebody to sit next to me who I could talk to about Jesus. I answered “both”.

A bridge to conversation

Javelin pulled out her Biblebee studying materials and started to try to focus on that. I hoped this may insight some interesting conversation about Jesus.

One guy came close and sat on the bench next to us and I thought maybe this was my guy. But then he got on his phone and got up and walked off. Jav mentioned that she was wondering what type of ball he had.  I thought that that would be a perfect conversation starter so when came back over, I asked him.  He responded that it was a volleyball and told me he’d play in leagues but not here. Then he went off and stretched and hit the ball around.  He didn’t really seem interested in staying close for conversation.

The push of pressure

After waiting a little longer for God to send someone, the cool of the day had hit, and I knew my time was running out.  I couldn’t whimp out, and I would be very disappointed in myself if I left the park without taking this opportunity so I had to get up and go seek someone.

I really didn’t feel like there was time to sit down and try to make a natural conversation either so I went to one of the people I had noted as a potential.  She was watching her kids climb on some playground equipment. I said, “excuse me, I’ve been wanting to talk to somebody about Jesus. Could I talk to you?” and she said, “no. I’m trying to watch my kids right now.” I told her, “I won’t mind; you can keep watching them and we can talk”.   She said, “still, no.” She wasn’t rude, just clear about her disinterest. And I certainly won’t judge her based off this interaction. Five years ago if a stranger had come up to me on the playground and asked to talk about Jesus, I may have been interested in getting the weird person to leave me be too, not really feeling a random religious conversation at the moment.

Try, try again

Rather than discourage me, this interaction made me more determined.  If this was the worst I would get, it’s really not that bad.

I went over to a bench to join a woman who I had seen pass me several times with a smile. Previously, she had been on her phone walking with her daughter, but she’d just sat down when I approached her and asked the same question.  She was more open to the idea of talking about Jesus and said “sure.” I asked her what she knew of Jesus, and she said that he’s our Lord and Savior.  I told her that’s great and asked her what church she went to. It was one that I had heard of, and I asked where it was, and I told her I was happy to hear that.  I told her about my goal to talk to more people about Jesus and she told me I was doing good.  Though she was already a believer, it certainly wasn’t a wasted conversation. For both of us, the exchange is a positive thing—seeing other Christians out, willing to stand by Jesus’s name.   Still, had I really had a conversation about Jesus to the extent I could call my mission accomplished?

I’d tried enough that I at least wouldn’t be disappointed in myself, and I had a chance to learn and reflect.  I returned to my seat beside my daughter.

Final opportunity

Another friendly-looking lady was on the phone on the bench next to us, and she complimented my younger daughter’s highlights.  Perfect in! And on my target bench too! Maybe God had sent me someone.  We had conversation about our kids.  I got a text from my husband that he was 15 minutes from done with basketball.  Ok. 15 should be enough. I transitioned by saying my 40th birthday was coming up and I wanted to talk to more people about Jesus. Would she be willing to talk to me?

She was.  I asked her what she thought of Jesus. She too believes that he’s Lord and he died for us.  I said that’s pretty much what I believe and asked if she went to church nearby.  A church in Dallas. I told her mine was in Dallas and she looked it up and said she may visit sometime.

My goal isn’t to recruit for my church though if she does find that visiting my church leads her to a deeper involvement with God that would be a great thing.  Our conversation shifted to other topics: sand waterfalls & working out. Then I thanked her for the visit and headed off to get the husband.

Mission Accomplished?

I’d brought Jesus up three times tonight and no mention was wasted. My daughter suggested I count the believers as a half credit each, but I think I will just count the night of attempts as number two toward my goal.

I certainly haven’t figured out the best ways to converse with strangers about Jesus in natural conversation, but I won’t get there without trying. And God did send me that lady on the bench.  She was a delight to talk to.

Thanks for a great evening,Lord.  And hey, it could be that the first lady may be more open to conversation in the future having seen how me and the last lady enjoying our talk.  I know I at least left her with a thought.