Marcus Redding Makes A Man Cry On His Pancakes

“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death

and will cover a multitude of sins.”

James 5:19-20

“That’s all he would tell me. ‘Meet me there tomorrow morning at 8:00.’” Marcus was recounting the surprising turn of events at the barber shop yesterday morning. Lauren was shaking her head in wonder. “This may be the answer to our prayers Marcus.” She took his hand and put it on her now-obviously pregnant belly. “Just what the three of us need.” Marcus was both doubtful and hopeful. But he didn’t express either one to Lauren. He didn’t want to get her hopes up and he didn’t want to let her know how uncertain he was about the whole thing. So he just said, “I’ll talk to him.”

Marcus stepped inside The Shed at 7:55. It smelled of sausage and coffee and cigarette smoke. It was the middle of the breakfast rush. He didn’t know what Mr. Johnson looked like so he just stood by the door for a minute until a girl walked up, wiping her hands on a white apron. “Are you Marcus Redding?” “Yeah.” “Mr. Johnson’s here. Follow me.” She took him into the non-smoking section and they had to twist their way through a mass of diners until they got to a table for two right in the middle of the room.

There was seated a man in his late seventies or early eighties, lean and tall, with a weather-worn face and calloused hands. He didn’t stand out from anyone else except for his full head of unusually wavy sliver hair. Marcus reached out to shake his hand and Mr. Johnson stood up. Courteously and quietly, he said he was glad to meet Marcus and invited him to sit down. But Mr. Johnson kept looking at Marcus as if he was expecting a reaction. Marcus noticed on the table in front of him was a plate of pancakes covered with pecans. A little dish of strawberry jelly sat nearby. Marcus was so surprised that he kept his eyes on the food while he said, “This is what my grandpa used to make for me every Saturday morning. Pecan pancakes. With strawberry jelly.”

When he looked up, he could see Mr. Johnson had tears in his eyes. He blinked and a tear rolled down his cheek. He sniffed and got out a handkerchief and blew his nose. Then he chuckled. “Well, let’s give thanks.” Mr. Johnson led a short prayer for the food. “Eat up, Marcus. Enjoy.” He had a surprisingly quiet voice, Marcus had to strain to hear him among the clatter of plates and silverware. “Thank you…sir” Marcus stammered, still not sure about the whole situation, “But…” Mr. Johnson interrupted him, “How did I know that your grandfather made you pecan pancakes with strawberry jelly? Can I tell you a story?” Marcus nodded. “Okay, you eat and I’ll talk.”

Mr. Johnson told Marcus how he grew up between Moore Station and Fincastle out in Henderson County. How he was the oldest child in a family of five. How his father was an alcoholic and his sweet mother held the family together, taking them to worship services every Sunday and Wednesday. How he liked going to church and reading the Bible and he was baptized during his first year in high school. But then his father was killed in a farm accident and he took it hard. He started to drink and dropped out of school and went to work at the canning plant. And that’s where he met Sam Redding who took a liking to him and helped him clean up his life. Sam got him a better job at a filling station in Athens and they went to worship services together every Wednesday and Sunday. Eventually Sam moved on and Mr. Johnson started the Johnson-Child convenience stores. But he always stayed in touch with Sam through the years. And Sam always told him about his grandkids. And that’s how he knew about the pecan pancakes. “So when I heard your name was Redding, I thought of your grandfather and how he helped me. I suppose its time to return the favor.”

They talked for the next hour about returning the favor. Marcus couldn’t wait to tell Lauren.

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