Listen to the Simple Faith devo:
[audio:http://www.lifechurchohio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Simple-Faith-4-7-2013.mp3|titles=Simple Faith 4-7-2013]D
ad was a milkman for Deeds Brothers’ Dairy and occasionally I’d get to ride along on his milk route. In Lancaster’s neighborhoods during the 50’s & 60’s, a Deeds’ milk truck was as close as you’d get to a Good Humor Truck. During the heat of the summer, it was common for a gaggle of banana-seated bikes to chase after Marvin the Milkman.
His route included the streets off West Fair Avenue with American Indian names like Shoshone, Mohawk and Chippewa. Stopping at each block he’d trot from house to house carrying two metal racks loaded with glass bottles of fresh, cold milk. At most houses he’d tap on the door before letting himself in, placing the perspiring bottles directly into the customer’s refrigerator.
Considered a member of the family by most of his customers, Dad carried keys to many of their homes. On more than one occasion, as our family sat down to an evening meal, he would receive a phone call from a customer locked out of their home asking if he might come let them in. He was always happy to oblige, even though it meant a sixty minute round trip. Now, fifty years later, it’s not uncommon for the grown children of those customers to tell me how much they appreciated Marvin the Milkman.
He’d leave before daybreak each morning, returning home just before dark. With hundreds of stops to make each day, he kept a wicked pace. He never sat down, even standing as he drove. He ran from one porch to the other, seldom breaking stride. Only overheated youngsters crowding around the open door of his truck could break his cadence.
For kids, purchasing ice cream can be tantamount to an adult purchasing a new car. They labor over the choice of ice cream bar versus fudge bar…”NO, wait! I want an ice cream sandwich! Yeah… that’s the ticket. Ooh, ooh, do you have drumsticks today? Maybe I’ll have a Popsicle—what flavors you got? How much more is an ice cream sandwich? Is it more than a fudge bar?” With the patience of Job, Dad answered their questions—and from my perch behind the freezer it seemed he entered into their excitement. It confirmed what I already knew about Dad: he had his own inner child who refused to take life too seriously.
I’ll never forget one dirty-faced little preschooler who, after waiting impatiently for the older kids to make their minds up, elbowed past everyone, thrust his upturned palm toward Dad and with unwavering confidence asked, “How much can I buy for this many?” I remember being embarrassed for the little guy—his grimy palm cradled two lousy pennies—and I knew the cheapest thing in the truck was a 15 cent Popsicle.
I watched carefully as Dad taught me the mathematics of mercy. He leaned over and studied the little man’s upturned palm, straightened up and said, “Well, fella, that’ll buy anything you want. What’ll ya’ have?” The little guy, completely oblivious to the gracious gesture, leaned in toward Dad, narrowed his gaze and said, “What kind-zes you got?” After a lengthy discussion and several unheeded recommendations from the crowd, the little guy settled on a fudge bar.
As we drove off, I asked, “So who’s gonna pay the difference?” Without taking his eyes off the road, he smiled, “Oh… I always do.” I don’t know how many two cent fudge bars Marvin the Milkman covered, but I can tell you how impressed his son was with Marvin the Man. Dad didn’t leave me two cents, but he left me a wonderful inheritance.
Jesus, through His mercy, has left us an even more wonderful inheritance. Listen as Peter (yep, the same dude who denied even knowing Jesus three times before the resurrection) announces the incredible inheritance left to those who follow Jesus—
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.” I Peter 1:3-4
I pray you share that inheritance with me.
Read Ron’s column, Simple Faith, each Saturday on the Faith Page (page 3) of the Lancaster Eagle Gazette, or visit www.lancastereaglegazette.com.