An Unexpected Answer

An Unexpected Answer

The LORD says . . .“When they call on me, I will answer.”

Psalm 91:14-15

When the congregation came to church that Christmas Day, I’m sure none of them expected to hear from Mars.

My parents had given our youngest child, David, a battery-operated robot for Christmas. The little boy was delighted with its stiff-legged gait, its flashing lights, and its robotic voice.

Since my husband was the pastor, we lived next door to the church. The church building was too small to seat the entire congregation, so on Christmas Day we held two consecutive services. Because it would be tough for our three children—ages twelve, nine, and five—to sit through both services, we gave them permission to return home after the first service to play with their new toys.

“Stay inside,” I instructed them. “Your sister is in charge. If there’s a problem, one of you slip quietly into the church and call me. Okay?”

The three of them nodded, and they rushed off to play. I knew our daughter would soon be engrossed in one of her new books and would forget all about the other two. But she would be there if they needed her. In any case, they were right next door. What could go wrong?

During the service, my husband led the congregation to pray. “Let’s wait on the Lord,” he said. After a moment’s silence, the startled congregation heard a mechanical voice through an open window, “Greetings, Earthmen! My name is Telbaz. I come from Mars. Please give my best wishes to everyone.”

Mortified, I slipped out the side door to find two giggling little boys crouched under the window as the alien visitor shuffled along the path.

The following year we held our Christmas service in the fellowship hall, which was big enough to hold everyone in one sitting.

—Shirley M. Corder

Lord God, how often we pray to you, but how seldom we expect a reply. Please help me to pray and wait for your answer—preferably not from Mars. Amen.