Dirk scanned the sanctuary, trying to be discreet and yet utterly failing as he twisted and turned in his seat. He was intent on locating Brother Silas before the service began. Every Sunday morning, he would crane his neck in search of the hoary head of the fellowship’s oldest member, and every time his mother would cast Dirk that glance that meant, “Sit still and look forward.”
This morning, he didn’t have to even look behind him. Two rows from the front of the auditorium, Dirk spotted Brother Silas’ white hair and his black vest. To Dirk, it was a very special vest. In the pocket of that vest was something very important. In that vest pocket, there were mints. Lifesavers, to be exact. And all a little boy had to do to get one of those mints was to go up to Brother Silas after church service and politely ask to have one. And then, Brother Silas would smile, reach into the inner pocket, draw out a mint, and hand it to the little boy.
That was why Dirk diligently searched the church house to find Brother Silas’ whereabouts - so he would know where to go to get one of those mints. This Sunday was no different, and as soon as the last Amen was said, a swarm of young boys and girls began to cluster around Brother Silas like chickadees at a birdfeeder. Brother Silas genially doled out his mints in turn, all while continuing to chat with the men. When Dirk’s turn came, he dutifully said, “Thank you,” without even thinking what he said.
Dirk didn’t lose any time eating that mint, and before he knew it, the mint was gone and he could go on with his afternoon and with the rest of the week.
That Thursday, the phone rang, and when his mother picked it up, Dirk could tell that it was a recorded message announcing something because his mother only listened instead of holding up her end of the conversation. He didn’t think much of it until later in the evening when he overheard his parents discuss the message.
“What hospital did they say Brother Silas is in? Did they say how long they expect him to stay? Maybe we should make a visit,” Mother said.
“I think it would be worthwhile for us to pay him a visit,” replied Father.
“Will he be in church on Sunday?” interjected Dirk, stopping the travels of his tractor in his concern to hear the answer.
“No, I think it will be quite a while till he’ll feel able to be at church again. He’s very sick, Dirk,” Father said. Neither his father nor his mother expected the response that this answer caused. Dirk started crying, and at first, they were touched that he would be so compassionate about Brother Silas. And then Dirk started fussing.
“But what about my mint? If Brother Silas isn’t at church, I won’t get my mint! He just has to be at church!” He would have gone on and on in this way if his parents had let him.
“Why Dirk Phillips, first of all, we do not go to church services so that you can get a mint. We go to church services to worship God. Furthermore, you should be concerned about Brother Silas, not about whether you will get a mint or not. How would you like it if your friends were only concerned about something you gave them, without considering how you are doing?” “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about it like that,” Dirk sniveled, using his sleeve as a handkerchief.
“Can you think of anyone in the Bible who complained when they didn’t get what they wanted?” Mother inquired. No one came to Dirk’s mind, although he was sure that there were plenty of examples in the Bible. “The Israelites, Dirk. They often complained and it did not please God,” she prompted.
Father then asked Dirk to read through Numbers 11 and copy down the sentences that showed ungratefulness and how God felt about it. His parents then assured Dirk that they would look into visiting Brother Silas. They suggested planning to pick up a bag of mints on their way, just for Brother Silas.
When the day came to visit Brother Silas, Father took his son into the store to select a bag of mints. “Did you ever stop to think how many times Brother Silas has to do this to keep his pockets well lined with mints for all you children?” he asked Dirk, whose eyes grew wide at this little revelation.
“No, I never did. But he probably had to buy a whole bag every week! There’s a lot of us children at church.”
It was a full month before Brother Silas felt well enough to attend church services again. When he did, Dirk’s eyes lit up at the sight. At the close of the service, Dirk hung back for a while before approaching him. To be honest, he felt a little shy. But as he watched the other children receive their mints and he saw the unmistakable twinkle in Brother Silas’ eyes as he doled them out, Dirk grew more confident. He, too, joined the throng.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better, Brother Silas. I missed seeing you,” Dirk confided as he looked up into the face of the kindly gentleman.
“I am, too! It is very nice to be back. I quite missed being here,” replied Brother Silas, placing his hand gently on Dirk’s shoulder as they spoke. He then reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a mint. A Lifesaver, to be exact. And this time, when Dirk gave his thanks, it was with the feeling of gratitude and not just the words of it.
