93 Free Samples
Clara was at her local supermarket buying food in preparation for the annual Christmas dinner hosted by her family. As she was pushing her cart down the aisles and checking off the items on her shopping list, she passed by a table stacked with fruitcake. A cheerful clerk held out a toothpick with a small piece of fruitcake.
"Would you like a free sample, ma'am?" offered the clerk.
"Ugh, no thank you!" replied Clara. "Fruitcake is gross!"
The clerk's smile widened even some more. "You might be surprised, ma'am. Go ahead and take a free sample."
Clara declined and moved on. She crossed the clerk's path several more times as she was grocery shopping, and he offered a free sample each time. Clara started to get annoyed by the clerk's persistence. She felt like shouting at him to stop hassling her, but she realized that she would only end up embarrassing herself for causing a scene over such a small issue.
Finally, Clara relented and took a free fruitcake sample from the Clara. She made a sour face and slowly put the sample in her mouth, like how a child acts before he has to eat his vegetables. However, Clara was astonished by what she tasted! The fruitcake actually was delicious! It had a sweet and fruity flavor and tasted like no other fruitcake she had before. Clara quickly asked the clerk for another sample, who obliged without hesitation. This was unbelievable! This truly was the best fruitcake ever!
Clara ended up buying three fruitcakes. At the dinner party, family and guests alike were shocked that Clara bought so much fruitcake. However, after prodding from Clara, they all ended up trying to fruitcake. Like Clara was at the supermarket, everyone was so surprised at how good the fruitcake was! Everyone raved about the fruitcake and begged Clara to tell them where she bought the fruitcake. Clara smiled just as widely as the persistent clerk did several hours ago.
When we share our faith with others, we should not try to overwhelm them with theology or difficult concepts at the onset. Rather, we should share our love of Jesus in small doses, until they come to ask to hear more, then we can share more fully!
- Recommended reading: 1 Peter 2:2, Acts 13:42
