Marcus Redding Has a Lead

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,

for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

She was in the middle of a haircut when he walked in. Three other men read magazines as they waited their turn. There were no empty chairs but he was too anxious to sit anyway. He stood by the door and Stephanie the barber talked to him while she worked.

“Hi Marcus. My friend Nancy came in the other day. She works at the Johnson-Child gas station in Chandler.” Marcus remembered Nancy. He delivered to that store every Wednesday for the last couple years. Stephanie went on, “We went to high school together. So whenever she comes in we talk about old friends. She told me that Mr. Johnson, the owner of the store, came in the other day and said that Carl Burns had to move to North Carolina to help his wife look after her mom. Carl was Mr. Johnson’s right hand man, worked for him since he graduated high school, ran his ranch for him and kept his books and helped him build up the business. Do you know how many stores Mr. Johnson has?” Marcus recognized the Johnson-Child name, “Yeah, they have, what, 20 or 30 stores in East Texas right?” Stephanie kept talking as she switched on the hair clippers, “So Mr. Johnson was telling Nancy how he needed someone to take Carl’s place. He wanted someone young and reliable that he could train.” She paused and looked up at Marcus, who was now feeling a little uncomfortable as the other four men in the barber shop were looking at him.

Marcus was quick with an answer, “That’s not the job for me.” Stephanie switched off the clippers and picked up her scissors and kept working as she talked, “So when Nancy was telling me this story I remembered you were looking for a job and I told her about you. I said, ‘there’s this kid that comes in, tattoos up and down his arms, but super-nice kid, he’s looking for a job.’ And Nancy’s eyes light up and she says, ‘Are you talking about Marcus Redding? He used to work for Colby’s Wholesale. I haven’t seen him for months. Used to come in every Wednesday. He was such a nice kid that I even called his boss one time and complimented him.’ So that’s a coincidence, don’t you think?”

This was a little overwhelming. Marcus just repeated, “That’s not the job for me.” Stephanie kept right on snipping, “Why don’t you talk to Nancy and get Mr. Johnson’s number? Can’t hurt to try.”

“I don’t think so. Thanks for thinking of me, though. I appreciate it.” Marcus had already dismissed the whole idea and he was halfway out the door when one of the old men waiting for a haircut said, “Wait a minute, son. Just wait a minute there.” And he got out his iPhone. As he was looking down and running his finger over the screen he said, “I go to church with Mr. Johnson. I’ve got his number right here.” He tapped the screen and held the phone to his ear and winked at Stephanie. He looked at Marcus, “Just stay right there.” He paused a few seconds, “Hey, Arnie. It’s Jim. Say, I heard Carl Burns was leaving you…” There was a pause during which he gestured to Marcus as if to say, “Stay right there.” “Look, I’m at the barber shop here and there’s a kid here you ought to talk to. He’s got a good reputation. His name is…what’s your last name son?” Marcus told him. The man repeated it into the phone, “Redding.”

And the old man held the phone out for Marcus, who looked around and laughed and said, “This is crazy.” The old man just sat there with the phone held out. Marcus took a deep breath and took the phone. He said, “This is Marcus Redding.” Mr. Johnson didn’t say anything for a while. Marcus wondered if he was still there. “Hello?” Marcus asked. Finally Mr. Johnson spoke, very slowly, as if he was surprised by something, “Are you kin to Sam Redding?” “Yes, sir. Sam was my grandfather.” A long pause.

“You know where The Shed is, in Edom?” “Yes, sir.”

“Meet me there tomorrow morning at 8:00.”

More about Marcus Redding’s journey of faith next week.