My "God Encounter" with My Hair Cutter at Sports Clips

[James Nored]

This afternoon I went and got my hair cut at Sports Clips. This is where I usually go. Hey, I'm a guy, and if you have to wait around and take the time to get your hair cut, you might as well be able to watch ESPN when you go. So, kudos to them for winning the niche marketing game.

 

I usually try to go to frequent many of the same places, such as hair cutting shops, Starbucks, etc., so that I can get to know people in the community. So even though there are two Sports Clips in McKinney, I just go to one. 

 

Today, when it was my turn to get my hair cut, I found out that a young woman named Darla was my hair cutter. She was nice, friendly, and had a distinct Southern accent. *Turns out that she was from Gainsville.) Not recognizing her, I asked if she was new. She said that she was new to this particular store. She normally worked at the other Sports Clips store in McKinney, but this one--my store!--needed some help, so she came over.

 

I asked her where she was from and where she lives, and found out that she now lives in Princeton, has a 13 year old daughter, and has always been single. She then asked me where I was from, and this led to me telling about who I am and that I am a preacher at the High Pointe Church of Christ (which is very close to this Sports Clips). This led into what I call a "God encounter" or discussion.

 

Darla went to a Baptist church growing up, and her step-father (I believe) is a Christian church minister in Princeton. Darla likes to visit around to different churches and hear different preachers, but mainly she stays home and listens to "her TV preachers"--Joel Olsteen, Joyce Meyers, Johnathan Hagee. It is quite amazing how many people who do not regularly go to worship listen to Christian music and watch preaching on television. And Darla indicated that this was quite meaningful for her.

 

What struck me, however, through this conversation, was how much Darla loved the Bible and how much she knew. She talked about what she had been reading this week in Hebrews and James. She said to someone this week, "Do you know what is worse than being an unbeliever? Not taking care of your family members!" She probably quoted more verses and talked more about the Bible than I hear a typical church member talk about in a month in conversation. She asked me about what the "most holy place" from Hebrews was, and so I explained this. She talked about how excited she got when she read something, and how she liked to talk about it. I would say that she has gifts in Knowledge and Evangelism, most definitely.

 

I asked Darla what question she would ask God if she were able to. She said that she had so many questions and had thought about this. Right then, she listed two: 1) why do we have to wait to see God's face; and 2) would there be animals in heaven? She asked me what question I had, and I responded saying, though I know some biblical answers to this, I still wonder why there had to be so much suffering in the world. She quickly said to test us/help us in our faith, and she quoted from Romans 8:28 about all things working towards the good of those who love the Lord.

 

I really felt blessed by my "God encounter" with Darla. She did a great job cutting my hair (I think--you can see tomorrow what you think), but more importantly, she gave me a wonderful glimpse into God's working in her life and an incredible view of someone who loves God and his word. I tried to leave her a good tip and bought some hair gel (I actually was out). At the end she gave me some cards for me to give to people to come in for a free haircut, which I definitely plan to do. I want to bless her life. And I told her that I send out emails of God thoughts and she said, "Do you want my email?" I said yes, and so I will add her to my email updates on these discussions that I send out.

 

Darla, if you are reading this, then know that you blessed my life today! And I will be praying for you and your daughter.

 

To my readers here, I would draw these points:

1. Frequent the same places in the community so that you can get to know the precious people there.
2. Talk about spiritual things. How do you do this? Be yourself. Don't edit out the God potions in your life. Talk about them like you would to another Christian friend. Also, ask those you talk what their experience of God has been, what they think of God, church, etc. 
3. Never assume that just because someone is not going to worship (even if they have never gone) that they have not walked with God in powerful ways, talked to him, wrestled with him, asked him questions, etc. We are spiritual beings and are hard-wired to seek out God. That includes every person you meet.

What "God encounters" have you had with people in your community? How do you start spiritual discussions? 

[James Nored]

Frank, you say, "It's time that we start realising that church is where we find ourselves at any given point in time." How absolutely true. Jesus says in the Great Commission, make disciples "as you are going." We need to help our people think and live on mission 24/7.

[Frank Theron]

Thank you James. What an enthralling story. It's time that we start realising that church is where we find ourselves at any given point in time. When we walk and share this amazing love affair with Jesus Christ, people will become naturally attracted to Him, and us!

God bless you!

[James Nored]

I would say that most of our people have absolutely no idea how to talk about God with the unchurched. Part of this is because they do not talk about him in their families or even church friends most of the time outside of a formal Bible class or small group discussion. Why is this?