UNKNOWN GOD
Today's reading: Acts 17-18

"...I notice that you are very religious, for as I was walking along I saw your many altars. And one of them had this inscription on it--To an Unknown God'. You have been worshiping him without knowing who he is, and now I wish to tell you about him." Acts 17:22-23 NLT

I've told you about the high school field trip last week to the sculpture park, the art museum and to the Basilica Cathedral. What I'd held in to this point is what happened at the church...and it's been hard to hold, but upon reading this portion of Scripture, I thought it time to tell...

Keep in mind, I'm having to keep an identity under wraps and not reveal too much.

My son has attended school with another student since kindergarten. This student is a lovely person, very friendly, very mannerly and always very pleasant. I have been privileged to come to know this child's parents over the years.

This student's family is from another country and follow a religion very foreign to me. Very foreign to me. I've spent a few hours over the past 10 years or so talking to the mom about general subjects and at times our personal worship practices. Nothing deep, just passing conversations.

At the beautiful cathedral we stopped at, this same student told me they'd never been in a church before. That's hard for me to understand. Fifteen years old, having been in the United States since an infant, living in a small town and never been in a church?

I made comment that I had been in alot of churches but never this one, and I knew they would really enjoy it. I also gave this student the opportunity to walk with me if it would make them feel more comfortable. The student did for a while, then wandered off with other students.

As we were in line to board the bus to leave the cathedral, this student approached me...

I asked if they had had a good time. Yes, it was beautiful.

I asked if it was informative. Yes, I found out alot of things.

I asked what all they saw. I went to the gift shop they replied.

In a box held in the student's hand was what they had purchased. I asked about it. I was told it was a small ceramic sculpture wrapped in bubble wrap for the trip home.

I said don't unwrap it, just tell me what it looks like.

I was told it's a family. A man, a woman and a baby.

My skin got goosebumps.

I said do you know who they are?

No, I was told.

The father's name is Joseph. The mother's name is Mary. The baby is Jesus.

At that point I looked into the student's eyes and said, That baby grew up to be my Savior and Redeemer. Their eyes lit up.

At that point a large group of kids came up and called out to this student.

The conversation was over...maybe.

I had the opportunity to tell a student at a school-sanctioned event about Jesus. I couldn't tell this student the whole story. I couldn't explain all I knew. I couldn't lead this child in a prayer of salvation.

But I believe a seed was planted.

I cannot wait to see this student again!!!

Who might you be able to tell about our God today.