Flower Girl Receives Christ

She was the clerk at the flower shop in  our local Hy-Vee grocery store. I will call her the “flower girl” in this story. We had never met before.

(I’m writing this story to show how some people are so open to God and how easy it is to lead a person to salvation in Jesus Christ. You can do it as well as I. Just share Christ before you “chicken out!” Remember to make the gospel clear, and help them to actually receive Jesus Christ into their life through faith. You will be glad you did.)

I wanted to buy flowers for my wife. After selecting a beautiful pink rose, I came to the counter to pay. The young attendant was helpful. Since she was not busy with other customers, I asked her, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?”

“My mother attends mass every week,” the flower girl replied. Instantly I knew she personally had no real connection with the Savior. She added that occasionally she attended with her mom.

“That’s great!” I answered. “Then you may have heard that Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead.” She nodded, but made no reply.

My answer surprised me. In the past I had never known what to say to Roman Catholics. I knew some were saved and some were not, as in every denomination. For some reason I had always been stymied in trying to witness to Catholics. With my answer this time (“that’s great!”), I sensed the Holy Spirit was present and leading me. He was teaching me and giving me a word of wisdom to help the flower girl.

I continued with fresh enthusiasm. “This is the good news. Jesus died for our sins, rose from death, and is offering us a free gift—eternal life.” She kept focusing on what I was saying.

Right then another employee came, heard us talking, and interrupted. I didn’t know what to do, so I asked him the same question, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” He answered affirmatively, then poured cold water on the conversation by saying, “Yes, but I don’t want to talk about it!” I was so riled I could have wrung his neck. Fortunately, he left the area and went on his way leaving me alone at the counter with the flower girl.

You can be certain I prayed fervently for no more interruptions!

“I have really great news for you. Jesus Christ died for our sins. He rose again from the dead. He has a free gift of salvation for all who receive Him by faith. Does this make sense to you?” She wasn’t sure. It seemed like new thoughts to her.

So I continued. “It’s not how good or bad we are. Salvation is a free gift which we can receive in childlike trust. God is offering it to you right now. Would you like to receive Jesus and His free gift into your heart?”

The flower girl nodded affirmatively this time and said, “Yes.”

“Then go ahead and ask Jesus into your heart right here. No one will know what you are doing,” I informed her. She bowed her head and prayed there at the counter. (For my part, I prayed for all I was worth that no customers would come right then. None came!)

After prayer the flower girl lifted her eyes and smiled with the most beautiful radiance that the world can ever hope to see. It’s the radiance of a newborn babe in Christ that only those who have led another to faith in the Savior have the privilege to see. I prayed aloud and asked God to seal and anchor the eternal work God had done in her life.

I left her with her newly acquired radiance, took the flowers for my wife, and went on my way rejoicing.

Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” In other words, see what He sees, get a vision for the lost. It’s about love. Love for Him and love for people. We don’t want anyone to go to hell.

You can lead people like the flower girl to Christ. Jesus said, ” I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored. Love helps us open our mouth to tell of Jesus. Share Christ before you “chicken out!” Because we love ’em, we tell ’em.

to Christ