Aletha

Another half hour and they’d be finished, Aletha reminded herself. Her feet were getting sore now. She and Saundra were handing out Bible leaflets to passersby at a posh Atlanta mall. They were on the outside, of course. Even then they had to keep a distance from the APD officers for the two young women were on mall property, not public property. Aletha even doubted the legality of distributing the leaflets on public property, taking into account separation of church and state. But what church? The leaflets didn’t say anything about any church, Aletha thought.

Aletha liked working with Saundra, who came from Dahlonega, Georgia. Saundra still had a lot to learn about the big city, if you asked Aletha, who was born in Atlanta and loved her city.

“Here comes a nice-looking old gent,” Saundra said, almost whispering. “I’m gonna give him one.”

Aletha just smiled.

“Hi, Sir, I’m Saundra Grant. Could you spare just a few seconds? I want you to know there’s a man called Jesus and this leaflet I want you to take will tell you nice things about him. Deal?”

The senior citizen smiled his best Sunday morning smile and took the leaflet from Saundra’s hands.

“This is very kind of you, Miss,” he said. “I thank you and wish you luck. It makes me feel good to see young people doing work for the Lord.”

The gentleman went inside the climate-controlled mall.

“What a sweet old man!” Saundra said. “Don’t you think so, Aletha?”

Aletha looked toward the sky exasperated then at her friend.

“Saundra? Don’t you ever watch the local news or surf the Net?”

“Why? Did I say something wrong?” Saundra asked.

“That ‘sweet old man’ happens to be Dr. Stanley, as in Charles!”

“Dr. Who?” asked Saundra.

“Stanley, the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta. Honey, you just witnessed to one of God’s right hand messengers!” Aletha said.

Both women burst into laughter. Aletha then realized she loved doing the Lord’s work as well as loved her friend Saundra.