There is a sister in Zion who came to accept God thanks to a long-time friend who patiently shared the truth with her. This friend works at a restaurant and has only one day off each week—yet she devotes that entire day to helping the sister study the Bible.
The sister herself works tirelessly, running her shop 365 days a year without rest. Sometimes she is so busy that she cannot sit down for even a single warm meal. Seeing this, we wanted to comfort her, so we visited her shop with lunch boxes filled with love—soybean stew, japchae, and other homemade dishes. She gratefully received the food and smiled warmly.
After sharing a short conversation, we decided to look at the Bible together. There was no quiet room in the shop, so we sat at a small table in the lobby. I asked her if she would find it distracting with people passing by, but she shook her head and sat down confidently.
We had barely read one verse when a customer called out to her. After she served them and returned, the phone began ringing in different corners of the shop. It was difficult to stay focused.
Feeling apologetic, she looked at us with a troubled expression. Then, suddenly, she placed her hand gently on the Bible and said:
“You don’t need to try so hard to explain what’s written in the Bible to me.”
For a moment, I wondered: Does she mean she doesn’t want to continue? Is the study too difficult?
But the next words she spoke were deeply moving. She said she truly understood the heart of her friend—the friend who gives up her only day off each week to help her grow in faith. She also felt the heartfelt love of the Zion members who had prepared homemade food just for her. Then she turned to her friend sitting beside her and said:
“All of this effort comes from your sincere desire for me to grow strong in faith, doesn’t it? To me, this friend is the Bible. Watching her stay joyful and thankful to God even in hardship, seeing her live a holy life with the hope of heaven, I thought, ‘If I follow her, I’ll reach heaven too.’ She has supported me for decades, in good times and bad. Her faith has never changed. So I will follow her. Don’t worry.”
Her words left us speechless. Whenever the sister faced hardship, her friend would encourage her, saying, “Hang in there, friend. Let’s endure a little more and go to the heaven where there is no more pain.” And she would reply, “Yes, my friend. Let’s go to heaven together.” Their friendship was not only heartwarming but full of heavenly hope.
Even so, because the Word is the food of our souls, I gently encouraged her to continue studying whenever possible. She nodded and promised to find someone to cover her shift the following week so she could focus fully on studying the Bible.
That day, I was reminded once again that our every action has great influence. We can either lead someone closer to God or unintentionally push them away. Truly, the words of Jesus, “You are the salt and the light of the world,” reflect the tremendous impact we have in guiding our lost heavenly family back home.
Reflecting on myself, I wondered how faithfully I have been living according to the teachings of the Bible. And with a thankful heart, I gave glory to Heavenly Father and Mother for finding this precious sister and for granting me such a beautiful realization.
Going forward, as an Elohist who longs for God Elohim, I will strive even more to spread the fragrance of Christ.