Say When

As seen in the HEARTbeat and the Village Voice

“Say When”

As a small child, I followed my maternal grandfather around, my Papa, like a beagle puppy.  I learned many things from this coal miner turned house painter, and a hand-crafting carpenter on the side.  One of my most vivid memories is going to the local café with my overalls on (the ones just like Papa’s) and listening to the conversations between the men.  The waitress dressed in her white cap and white apron would come around to refill their coffee cups as they sipped away on them and talked about the latest “man gossip.”  I can still hear the words in my head as she filled each cup, “Say when.”  It was a courteous request to let the waitress know you’ve had enough.

This same request would happen at the dinner table when I had the opportunity to eat with my grandparents, and the same words would come out my granny’s mouth as she dished up seconds, “Say when.”  She knew my eyes were bigger than my stomach, but somehow she always knew when I had enough.

Recently a terrible accident happened on the football field.  You know the one I’m referring to, when a professional athlete’s heart stopped as a result of a freak collision.  Teams on both sides held their breath as the medical personnel worked on him.  But something amazing happened.  This athlete’s team knelt on the field, lock their arms together and began to pray!  For years the National Football League frowned and discouraged praying in public before or during the game.  Fines were even levied against those players who did.  This discouragement not only occurred on the professional level, but high school coaches across this nation were even threatened with termination if they prayed on the football field with their players before or after the game!

Have you had enough?  Say when!  We as Christians are called to walk-the-walk and talk-the-talk.  Just think, if Jesus was afraid to offend the Samaritan woman at the well by telling her how many times she had been married, and the man she was living with was not her husband!  Because He was unafraid, the woman went back and converted her village.  Or if Jesus was afraid to offend the Pharisees who had brought a purported adulteress before him and didn’t ask those who were without sin to cast the first stone?  The woman could have been killed.  I could go on and on, but I hear you saying “when.”

We are to profess our faith in Christ and tell the world of the Good News, as we find in 2 Timothy 4:2, “…proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable…”  The Holy Spirit inside of you will give you the right words to say at the right time to the right person.  When we place the kingdom over ourselves, God will make all things happen for the good.

Plant kingdom seeds wherever you go!  God will bless the encounter.  I encourage you to not be timid.  Don’t be afraid of offending someone!!!

Christians, are you tired of walking on your faith eggshells?  Then “Say When!”