"Hello," she said in her most cheerful voice.

"Hi Mercy. Busy here. Hope you have a minute to talk. I just wanted to get your opinion of church yesterday. What did you think of that young preacher that we had supply for us yesterday?"

Mercy began to wonder if maybe she should have let the answering machine get it after all. But, being the sweet and gentle soul that she was, she answered politely. "I thought he was pretty good. I really enjoyed his sermon and his testimony."

"Well I just don't know. I thought he seemed a little cocky myself. I just got off the phone with Mrs. Know-It-All. She and I are a little upset by his testimony. We just don't think it proper to compare yourself to someone in the Bible. She was right sure that his was not like Blind Bartimaeus. Said he was blind from birth, humph. Then to say that when he got lost he couldn't get saved, had to wait for God to open his eyes. You don't really suppose that he was blind do you? Mrs. Know- It-All said she just didn't know about having such a young preacher. You know, we have had some pretty good older men to fill in. We kind of liked that old Bro. Hireling we had a few weeks ago. You never heard him give his testimony and compare himself to someone in the Bible. I still just can't understand why Bro. In-The-Past left. You know, I heard that this young preacher even did drugs in college. That is all our young people need to hear, someone that condones the use of drugs. I sure hope the committee doesn't call him again. What do you think?"

Finally! Mrs. Busy Body stopped to get her breath, and it was Mercy's turn to talk. She knew she had better answer quick, before she could start up again. "Well, to be honest, I really liked him. The fact that he is a young man is a good thing. That means he will have a lot of years left to devote to learning about God and doing his will. As for Bro. In-The-Past, you know that he was getting up in age, nearly seventy-two. His health was beginning to fail. He was not able to keep up with all the work that was required. He is due a rest."

"But as for his cocky attitude, as you called it, I saw it as confidence. He was sure of what God had done for him, as we all should be. I too, like to find myself in the Bible, it gives me confidence that if God used them, then maybe he can use me too. This young man reminds me of last week's Sunday School lesson. You do remember Psalm 71 don't you? Where David is talking about not being man's choice, but God's choice. You know that David was a very young man too. Even with all his failures and mistakes God used him to shame and astound the wise.

"You know it must be a frightening thing to stand in a pulpit where a lot of wise older men have preached and try to preach to people you don't know. I feel sure, that given a chance, that Bro. Sent-Preacher will make some church a fine pastor. He seems to be a man that will search for the heart of God to lead His people. You know that the pastor is the voice of God and he brings the message that God wants his people to hear. The Bible says: John 10:27, 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me;'

"Because he is God's messenger, I feel that he deserves our honor and our respect. As for his past, God forgives, why shouldn't we?"

Before she could go on, the voice on the other end broke in and said, "Well, I am sure that I am keeping you from something, so I'll let you go for now."

Merciful Lady smiled and said, "Okay Mrs. Busy Body, have a good day." As soon as she hung the phone in the cradle it rang again. This time caller ID said the caller was who else, but Mrs. Know It-All. Merciful decided this time that she would let the answering machine get the call.

After her phone conversation that morning her heart was saddened by the lack of love and respect for the young men of God. "You know Lord I hope it is your will that Bro. Sent-Preacher be called to our church. I think it will be like a breath of fresh air. I also want to thank you Lord, for all the other Bro. Sent-Preachers out there. God, I just ask that you help your people to show them the respect, and the love due the office they hold. I know that your sheep will hear your voice and follow you. Lord, also if you could just help Mrs. Busy Body and Mrs. Know It-All to find themselves in the Bible, I know that they would be more accepting of others." With that, she went on to finish putting on the rest of her make-up.
 
 
 - Kate Fuqua