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From: Sewing Oodles
Date: 05-13-2003, 10:37 AM (1 of 3)
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His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant, kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before!) By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, and has silver-gray hair, and wears a three-piece suit. He is a godly man, very elegant, very dignified very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only 'Bible' some people will ever read". Hugz,
Cindy~Texas |
User: Sewing Oodles
Member since: 07-29-2002 Total posts: 69 
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-13-2003, 03:47 PM (2 of 3)
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Such a great story. Teach by example, not by words.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: threads_40
Date: 05-14-2003, 05:37 PM (3 of 3)
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This brought tears to my eyes but such a joy to my heart. So many times we are "caught off guard" by the clothes people wear, the color of their skin or the religon they worship in. But are we not all god's creation? Is it not the he who said "I am". Is he not the Potter and we who are the Clay? Is he not the same yesterday, today and forever? We all may be different, but yet we are the same. God's children one and all. This is a great lesson on unconditonal love. Might we all pray for a better understanding and tolerance of all people no matter who they are, their ethnic or religous back ground, the schools they attended or the title or jobs that they may hold. What greater love that no man has but to lay down his life for a friend. "Your goal is greater than your struggle"
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User: threads_40
Member since: 03-26-2001 Total posts: 28 
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