Tommy's Mommy

And now the "Chronicles of Tommy" continue, but this time new character emerges...

A woman knocks on your office door. Her wardrobe looks like something your grandmother would wear, but see looks half the age.

CAROL: Hello?

YOUTH PASTOR: Hello there! Can I help you?

CAROL: Yes, my name is Carol. I am Tommy's mom.

YOUTH PASTOR: Oh, well hello! Nice to meet you. I was wondering if he was going to be popping his head in any time soon. He usually comes with you to the Women's Bible Study on Tuesday mornings, right?

CAROL: Oh, why yes he does! But today the The Union for Schooling in the Home (TUSH) was having a field trip to the textile factory and I knew he just wouldn't want to miss that for the world!

YOUTH PASTOR: Sounds exciting.

CAROL: Oh, it is, and the kids enjoy going every year. But I just wanted to check with you on something real quick. Tommy just had a wonderful time at youth group last week, he talked all the way home about the games you played, about all the other kids that where there, and how he wanted to invite his friend Billy.

YOUTH PASTOR: Oh yes, Billy. Tommy had mentioned him to me before.

CAROL: Yes, and I just wasn't sure if the kids were allowed to invite friends or not whose families weren't church members.

YOUTH PASTOR: Of course they are. We want the kids to invite all of their friends.

CAROL: Oh that's wonderful to hear. Because this boy needs to be saved in the worst way. His daddy died when he was real young, and his momma remarried to some Mormon farmer, thank the Lord he doesn't actually practice, but I tell you that Satan is in that house. They just let Billy watch all sorts of garbage on TV, and last week I went over there to pick him up for a sleep over at our place and he was playing with fireworks unattended....I tell you it's bad.

YOUTH PASTOR: A-ha, I understand. Tommy said something about Billy living on a farm and that he couldn't go to church, but now things make sense

CAROL: Yes, the poor thing is just in need of Jesus so bad, and we figure if he would just come then you may be able to reach out to him.

YOUTH PASTOR: Well, you...

CAROL: But the problem is that next week I have to take my husband Cal...You know Cal don't you? The Chair of the Deacon's Board?

YOUTH PASTOR: Oh yes...we have...met a time or two.

CAROL: Well I have to take him up to the city hospital tomorrow afternoon to see his hemorrhoids specialist, and we won't be back until late, so I was wondering if there was any way that you could give Tommy a ride and then he could show you how to get to Billy's so that he could come with him?

You wince a little as the words come out

YOUTH PASTOR: Well, um...I guess we could do that. I would just need to plan for it, but I don't see why not.

CAROL: Oh that's wonderful! Thank you so much. The boys will just be so thrilled. I will let them know, and then I will send some snacks with them for the group. Would you like anything in particular?

YOUTH PASTOR: Well that's thoughtful. Anything you would like is welcome by me.

CAROL: Well then I will just make up a batch of my sugar free raisin cookies!

YOUTH PASTOR: Sounds...nutritious.

CAROL: You know, they are, but I just make them so Tommy has something to snack on in the afternoons and not get all wound up. You know he is the worst when he gets into sweets.

YOUTH PASTOR: Yeah, we found that out after our "Whipped Cream Pie Eating Contest" game last week...

CAROL: Well listen, I need to run, and I am sure you have to get back to whatever it is that you do. Thanks again!

YOUTH PASTOR: No problem, see you next week!

Hear Carol head out church door into parking lot.

YOUTH PASTOR: "Whatever it is that you do"?