One of the best places to get
coffee in Hammer was “June’s Place.” There were always fresh coffee and homemade
cinnamon rolls to be found in the log cabin that sat at the edge of town.
Checked curtains covered the windows. A bar ran down
one side with a coffee machine set up at one end, and tray of wonderful cinnamon
rolls sitting beside it. It was a very comfortable place. Five tables, with
wooden chairs surrounding them, filled the room. There was no cash register. An
old cigar box sat on the counter where customers dropped in their money for the
coffee and a cinnamon roll. Coffee refills were free and there were always those
who took advantage of that. June knew they were taking more than necessary, but
always said,
“Tomorrow they may just drink one, it all evens out.”
June was very friendly and had a smile for everyone. She would sit at the back
table and work on some craft or other she was making for orphans overseas.
When Kelsey walked over to her table and sat down,
June greeted her with a nod and a smile. Before Kelsey had time to say a word,
three ladies from church made their way in and headed for the table with their
coffee.
They pulled a couple of chairs over so all three could
sit.
Each woman seemed upset, and was full of news. Mrs.
Burns looked at June and started her story.
“Do you have any idea about this 16-year-old girl who
goes to our church?” She never gave anyone the chance to answer her she just
went on.
“What do you think this town thinks of our church
allowing this girl to come the way she is? Someone needs to talk to her and
explain she needs to stop coming to church, it just looks bad.” Mrs. Henry
nodded and said,
“You are so right! We need to get in touch with Pastor
and tell him something needs to be done, right now!” Mrs. Jones said nothing.
She sat there just listening to what the others had to say. June looked from one
woman to the next, then she said,
“Ladies, this situation reminds me of a passage in the
Bible. In John 8, there is a Scripture where the Pharisees and Teachers of the
Law brought a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. They knew that the Law of Moses
said that she must be stoned. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with His
finger. The Pharisees kept telling Jesus the Law. Jesus stood and said,
“If one of you is without sin, let him be the first to
throw a stone at her.” Once again, he bent and started to write in the dirt.
June looked at all the women and continued,
“The people left, one by one, until Jesus and the
woman were the only two standing there. The Lord then said,
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”
“No one," she whispered. Jesus said,
“Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more.” June
then looked at each of the women and said, “Don’t you believe that it would be
much better for you to pray for this young girl and show the Love of the Lord,
rather than condemn her?”
All three of the women stood, and walked quickly out
of the building.
June had a twinkle in her eyes as she smiled.
“Don’t worry, little Kelsey, they will be back. All
three of those women know His Truth and will now show this young lady mercy, as
Jesus showed us mercy.”
Sharon Niese sniese3@roadrunner.com
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