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. He is kind of profound 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 his wild hair. The service has already started, 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 to the pulpit. When he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
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, has silver-gray hair, and is wearing a three-piece suit. He is a godly man — very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane. 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.
When the deacon finally reaches Bill, the church watches as this elderly man drops 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."
Perhaps the most gracious, Christian thing I've read this year.
There was a Mennonite (I believe) who was trying to escape persecution in the 16th century (or so) and in the process was being chased by a soldier. They were both on foot and the Mennonite tried escaping by crossing a frozen lake.
The Mennonite was crossing safely when the soldier, who close behind, broke through the ice. The Mennonite had his chance to escape to liberty! But what did he do? He returned and helped the soldier out of the ice and thus saved him from death.
I'll have to look it up to get a better telling of the story, but that's the gist.
The Spirit of Christ... as it SHOULD be.
Hey, I read your "letter". I honestly think you should find a K-Love station (either on live radio or on the web~they have a live feed), and listen to it! There are WONDERFUL songs that will help you sort out your thoughts.
Music means so much to you! Perhaps, that is where you will hear His voice? That would be my guess!
He *DOES* have a plan for you. In all of these years, His plan has not changed or altered. He is just waiting for you to accept His will.
After the loss of my 3rd daughter (second daughter I've buried), I was very angry. Wondering what I've done wrong. And through it all, listening to the music on K-Love, I've found some peace to this cross I've been given to bear. Two children I've buried. Although, He did allow me to have the joy of raising 3 others. He speaks to me through the music on K-Love. Sometimes I hear, sometimes I'm too caught up getting from point a to point b in my day to day activites. But, He is still there. Waiting for me to slow down and listen. Sometimes I also hear Him in the words of my 3 young children. Often He is very subtle... until you ignore Him long enough...then he THUMPS you on the head (like any GREAT parent) to get your attention!
http://www.klove.com/listen/
Check it out!!!
It saddens me deeply to hear about your losses. I can't imagine the pain they must have incurred. I remember when my father died... how that hurt, how heavy my soul felt... but I can't imagine the pain of losing a child, let alone two.
I will, when He and I are talking again, remember you always in my prayers... I've hit a rough patch, as you well know, but you are right... I need to seek Him out.
Thank-you for everything.
I've changed the settings over there... should have realized the problem sooner.