Serving God and Failing?

Patricia couldn’t help thinking she had failed.

Months prior she had felt an inner stirring from God to lead a Bible study. Non-typical. She had setup in a downtown shopping area.

But now she was asking herself, “Why am I even bothering to do this?” She had committed through the end of summer—eleven sessions. This was meeting number ten. No one showed up. Actually…the grand total for all the meetings was...zero. Numerous people had verbally committed to coming. Countless flyers were handed out; prayer and diligent preparation were abundant.

A week later it was the final Bible study. It looked like another no-show gathering. Then Tammy poked her head in the door, “Is this where the Bible study is?” Clinging behind her was David, her seven year-old.

Patricia served refreshments. Led songs on her guitar. Taught God’s Word with all her heart. Yet after the meeting she felt a tinge of failure: “It seemed like they didn’t get anything”

A few months later Patricia saw Tammy. She said, “David keeps talking about the songs we sang and talking about God.” A pattern of very sporadic contact continued for years. And every time Tammy mentioned: “David is still talking about the Bible study.”

Six years after their initial meeting, their paths crossed once again. “You’ve had a big impact on David’s life,” Tammy said. “He’s going to church now.”

The words, “Big Impact,” seemed strange to Patricia’s brain. She knows this Bible verse: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” And now Patricia has her harvest—David’s life direction has been changed. And likely his eternal destination.

Do not grow weary in doing good…you have not failed. Your harvest awaits.