It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the
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 leaned up against the wall outside
the church. He was almost lying down as if he was asleep.
He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat
topped his head that was 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 and his toes stuck out.
I assumed this man was homeless and asleep, so I walked on by
through the doors of the church. We all gathered for fellowship
for a few minutes, and someone brought up the man lying
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 and 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 word or song.
If I can show somebody that he's traveling wrong,
Then my living shall not be in vain.
~Author Unknown~
