Always be Prepared to Give an Answer

This story is a continuation of the previous post on September 15.

Even though they had been friends for less than two months, Alec could tell that Ross really cared about other people. After a silent pause, Alec continued, “You do good deeds, like helping your grandfather, because of your Christian beliefs, right?”

“That’s right,” said Ross.

Alec’s expression softened, “Most people don’t do the things you do. Why do you have such a strong belief in God?”

Ross’s brain raced through a jumble of Bible verses, but none of them seemed to answer Alec’s question. It was such a simple question, but Ross struggled to come up with a response. He thought about Sunday School lessons he had sat through. Now, the long pause was making him nervous. “I have to say something,” Ross thought to himself, “but what?”

Finally, Ross managed to put a fractured thought into words, “Well… the Bible. It has a lot to say about faith. I believe what it says, because it is God’s word.”

Alec looked Ross straight in the eye. He waited for a better explanation.

Ross fidgeted uncomfortably. He knew his response was not what Alec was expecting.

“Um, my pastor could explain it better. You should come to my church this Sunday.”

A hint of disappointment formed on Alec’s face. “Yea, sure. I will go if I’m not busy.” Then he changed the subject, “Let’s just work on the tree house.”

Ross agreed, and together the boys trotted out to the maple tree in Ross’s back yard. But Ross felt guilty. He missed a chance to share his faith with his friend.

He decided to turn his attention to the tree house. Since they had no materials or tools, the two friends could only talk out their building plans, and dream about what the finished tree house might look like.

Early the next Saturday, Ross’s father offered to hall the lumber for the tree house. Together, they would drive to his grandfather’s farm, and use Grandpa’s pickup truck to hall it to Ross’s house.

Tina showed up just after breakfast to help out. “It’s too bad Alec is away today.”

“Yes, I’m sure we could use a little extra help,” said Ross.

“Hop in,” Ross’s father called from the car idling in the driveway.

Expect for a few comments by Ross’s dad, the three rode in silence out to the farm, but it was not a long trip. After fifteen minutes the car pulled into the long, stone driveway, and parked next to the white farmhouse. It was a typical old home with a front porch that ran the length of the house. It even had a porch swing, suspended by chains from the porch roof.

The screen door opened, and an elderly man appeared from the house, steadying himself with a cane. He greeted the guests as they exited the car.

“Hello Ross!” The man called to his grandson.

“Hi Grandpa. Do you remember Tina?” said Ross as he climbed the steps with Tina close behind.

“Of course I do. I never forget a pretty, young lady,” Grandpa chuckled.

Ross’s father disappeared into the house.

“So, you are here for some lumber?” Grandpa asked.

“Yes, we are going to build a tree house in that old maple tree in my backyard,” Ross explained.

“Well, I’m glad someone is finally going to put those old boards to good use. Take all you want” Grandpa said.

After a short chat, Ross and Tina headed for the barn. Turning to Tina, Ross told her about his discussion with Alec.

“The other day, Alec and I were hanging out. He asked me about my belief in God.”

“Really? What did you tell him?” asked Tina.

“Well, that’s the thing. I was caught off guard, and didn’t know what to say. I told him the Bible was God’s word, and that he should come to church to learn more.”

Ross released the latch, and swung the wide, heavy door open. Even though the barn hadn’t housed animals in years, the air inside held the musty smell of an old building.

If Tina was bothered by the smell, she didn’t show it. Instead, she tried to encourage her friend. “It’s good that Alec asked you. It means he is interested.”

“I know,” said Ross. “But doesn’t the Bible tell us to ‘always be prepared to give an answer’?”

“Yes, but you will have other opportunities to talk to him,” said Tina cheerfully.

“What do you tell people when they ask you about your faith?” asked Ross.

Suddenly, Tina’s lighthearted mood turned serious. She paused, looking thoughtfully at Ross, and then responded in a voice barely above a whisper. “No one has ever asked me that.”

Ross walked over to the neatly stacked pile of old boards in silence. He turned around when he noticed a shadow darken the entrance-way.

“Like I said, take all you need,” Grandpa repeated.

Ross, still deep in thought, did not respond. Finally, he decided to seek his elderly grandfather’s advice.

“Grandpa, we were just discussing the verse in the Bible that talks about always being ready to give an answer to anyone who asks.”

“You are talking about first Peter 3:15. I know the verse,” Grandpa said without hesitation.

Ross was impressed, but not surprised that his grandfather could quote the chapter and verse. “The other day, I had a friend ask me about my belief in God, but I didn’t know what to tell him.”

Grandpa’s many years as a believer meant he was prepared to give helpful advice. “Some people struggle with this, but it’s not complicated.” Grandpa continued, “You don’t need to give your friend, or whoever asks, a long explanation. But that doesn’t mean you can be lazy about studying and memorizing The Scriptures. Just be honest. Tell your friend who Jesus is, and how He has changed your life. It is Jesus who matters.”

Grandpa finished sharing his wise advice just as Ross’s father backed the pickup truck up to the barn entrance.

A few days after the trip to Grandpa’s farm, the sound of hammering echoed through Ross’s neighborhood. The three friends had rushed home from school to tackle their project. Tina worked the handsaw through a long wooden board, and then handed the cut piece up to Ross and Alec, who nailed it into place.

Progress had been slow when they first started. Lumber was cut to the wrong length, and more than a few nails bend over instead of sinking into the wood. However, it didn’t take the young builders long to learn from their mistakes. Eventually the nails began to go in straight, most of the time.

Ross nailed down one end of the floorboard while Alec nailed down the other.

“A few more, and the floor would be complete,” said Ross as he paused to rest.

Alec bounced up and down on the floor to test its strength.

“It looks solid to me,” said Tina, who climbed up to examine the completed work.

“Yes, it is going to be the best tree house in town,” Alec added.

“I will be back in a minute,” said Ross, as he swung himself over the side, and climbed down to the ground. He ran into the backdoor of his house, and into the kitchen. There, he dug three cans of soft drink from the refrigerator, and headed out the back door.

With the drinks under one arm, he carefully made the ten-foot climb up to the tree house with his other. When he reached the top, he was surprised to hear the conversation between Tina and Alec.

“I’m not perfect,” said Tina. “But that’s okay. God loves me, even with all of my flaws. He even proved his love. He sent his Son to die a horrible death on a cross for me, and three day later he rose from the dead”

Alec listened intently, “The Bible says that?”

Tina continued, “Of course I don’t mean he died just for me. He died to take away everyone’s sins. It also tells us that nothing in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. That’s why I have hope.” She looked at Ross. “That’s why we believe, and you can too.”

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