One night, I was picking up a man from a drinking establishment in American Fork. I sat out in front for quite a while and thought that he was not going to make it out. Finally, he did, he got in the car and away we went.
It’s really interesting seeing the differences in passengers. Some like to talk and others don’t want to be bothered. Some like to listen to music and some want a tour guide. Every now and then you find one that wants to be the tour guide and that was this guy.
We started driving down the road and he was pointing out saying, I used to live here, I used to play in this park, I went to high school up the road and this was my grade school. The grade school was right next to the church and I didn’t hear him say it but I heard it said in my head and in my heart his voice saying “and that’s where I went to church”. Then I felt the definite impression that he was feeling guilty as we passed it.
I saw in my mind‘s eye a kid raised in the church that had let life take him in a couple of different directions. I also had the impression of a very involved father and a close relationship.
I asked him if his dad coached his ball teams, he said, yes he did! He said, my dad passed away last year and every time we drive past those baseball fields I remember him out there with me. I said, when we went by the church, did you remember going to church with him too?
He got really quiet for a second and then said yes. I said, I coached my kids ball teams and I take them to church. It’s what good dads do. I asked, how long has it been since you’ve been to church?
He wasn’t drunk but he’d had a drink or two. I could tell that in general he wasn’t very comfortable opening up about his father or about the church but tonight was going to be an exception.
He said, I usually don’t talk about these things but I feel like I should with you. I don’t know what it is. I could clearly tell that he wasn’t an active member of the church but had the impression he had been while he lived at home. Something had happened and that changed everything.
I decided to get right to it. I said, you know I get the impression that you used to go to church every week with your family, but then job opportunities and relationships got in the way. I feel like now things have settled down a bit and you’d like to come back, but you just don’t quite know how to do it.
He said, that’s incredible. That’s exactly right. I went through a rough patch for several years and now I’m back and my life is good. In coming back seems quite complicated. My wife is Baptist and we kind of go to a Baptist Bible situation.
He said that now he had come to the decision that he really didn’t need to go to church. He loved God and there was nothing in church for him. I looked him in the eye and asked him, what makes you think it’s all about you? Why does it have to be about you? Don’t you think that you have talent and abilities that could help other people? Don’t you feel a responsibility to that?
I think in church is where you belong and you would find the comfort and peace you seek by attending. It will give you an opportunity to bless the lives of other people.
As far as your wife goes there will be friends and people that are members of the church around that she likes too. He said, yeah, they are already there. The guy that lives across the road is the Elders Quorum President and his wife. We really like them. Tomorrow I’m going over to borrow tables from them for a party we’re having.
I had the impression that I needed to talk more about his dad. I said, your dad would want you to come back to church. I said, your dad was always serving people in the church and doing little extra things for people in the church. You learned from him how to serve and you kind of feel like you haven’t been doing your part.
I said, your dad would like you to serve in the church just like he did. He said, how could you know that my dad served in the church? You pick me up at a bar. I said, the spirit put those words in my heart. I felt like your Heavenly Father really wants you back and your father is there to help as well.
I said, several times lately you’ve had things happen that have made you feel like your dad was calling you back and that you’re Heavenly Father wanted you back too. It’s a team effort.
He started to tear up and said, it’s happening two or three times a day lately. I feel my dad and I feel like I’m supposed to start doing better. I’m just trying to find a place to start I guess. He said, as soon as I got in your car I felt like you were going to help me. Then you started talking and you knew exactly what to say. I know I’m supposed to listen to you.
He said, just like you said, my dad always served in the church. He was a bishop and a branch president at different times. He helped people with their genealogy. That was really important to him. He always loved the thought of saving his ancestors.
I said, well, I think he loves the thought of saving his son even more. He smiled and said, I think you’re right. I drink and I don’t know exactly how to take the first step to come back.
I said, let’s start with tomorrow. You told me that you were going to be going over and borrowing tables from your Elders Quorum President. That sounds like the perfect place to start. Ask him how to start.
Tell him about our conversation and ask him if he would help you. I said, does your wife get along with his wife? He said, yes they’re very good friends. I said, in the end, it will be her that will help your wife. She’s not going to want to concede to you. He laughed and said, oh, you know or don’t you?
I told, him I’ve just had quite a bit of experience and I know that with love and time she’ll walk through those doors with you but the neighbor’s wife will probably play a huge part in that. He said, that sounds like a great plan. I think I’ll do it.
He said, I love how it feels in your car. I love being with my dad. I disappointed him so much in my life but now maybe I can make it right. He said, I don’t want to leave your car. He repeated that like five times as he shook my hand.
Finally, I got another ride and he could see that I needed to go and he said, you don’t know how much this ride has meant to me. I know I have to do this. My father is counting on me.
He got out after one more handshake and said you better go get that next ride. The spirit rode with me the rest of the night! Wow that was cool.
Sometimes God sends you a lift 