church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car
that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as
they walked to the church.
As I got closer I saw a man up against the wall outside the
church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had
on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped
his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore
shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with
holes all over them, his toes stuck out. I assumed this man was
homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the
church.
We had fellowship for a few minutes, and someone brought up the
man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one
bothered to ask him to come in, including me.
A few moments later church began. We all waited for the
Preacher to take his place and to give us the Word.
When the doors to the church opened, in came the homeless man
walking down the aisle with his head down. People gasped and
whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle and up
onto the pulpit he took off his hat and coat. My heart sank.
There stood our preacher...he was the "homeless man".
No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on
the stand. "Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am
preaching about today. "Then he started singing the words to
this song. "If I can help somebody as I pass along. If I can
cheer somebody with a word or song. If I can show somebody that
he's traveling wrong. Then my living shall not be in vain."
