Hi to my Forum Friends,
This morning I needed a lift, spiritually and emotionally. When I checked my e-mails, I found the story below from my high school classmate, Johnny Horton. I call it my Christian vitamin -- B1. Yes, Be One -- first, be a Christian believer; and, second, be a person like the lady, fictional or otherwise, in this story who does not forget the lift she was given at a low period in her life. When God wants to move in your life -- don't get in the way!
Has God ever led you to do something unexpectedly? About six years ago, my wife and I ate dinner at a local El Pollo Loco fast food restaurant and instead of riding home, I decided to walk. It was only nine o'clock, but the night was much colder than I had expected and I was regretting my decision to walk home. As I walked along the busy boulevard, I passed an empty field with a thicket of overgrown shrubbery. Behind this thicket, I noticed three homeless people, laying on the cold ground, cuddled together to stay warm. My thoughts were, "If I am this cold while walking; how cold are they trying to sleep on the cold ground?"
By the time I got home, I was really concerned about these people -- did they have enough warm covering. There was an old blanket laying in my closet which I would, at times when the night grew a bit cold, add to my cover. I got in my car, drove to where these people were sleeping, and gave them this blanket. At least they would have this extra bit of warmth for the night.
This is not to pat myself on the back; but, to point out that often God will open a door, or maybe just crack a window, of opportunity for us to share His love with others. But, we have to have to make sure that our receivers are tuned in and listening for His message. We do this by first becoming a believer, and second, by daily being in His Word and in prayer -- seeking His guidance.
I pray the story below which Johnny sent to me will lift your spirit and give you that extra boost of encouragement and edification you might need today as we start this glorious new year which God has given us.
If so, please share it with your Friends, Relatives, Associates, and Neighbors -- all your FRANs. Let's all be beacons of His love -- until He returns.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW
Good morning said the woman as she walked up to the man sitting on the ground. The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Leave me alone," he growled.
To his amazement, the woman continued standing before him. She was smiling, her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.
"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."
The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt her gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone."
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you please help me?"
The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."
"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."
"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived.
The manager walked across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this? Is this man in trouble?"
"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.
"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."
Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady, I told you so. Now if you'll just let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."
The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a good amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours?"
I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."
"Oh."
The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."
"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"
"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."
The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."
The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.
"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed lunch guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so. I mean, you do look familiar."
"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here -- and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."
"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently dressed woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."
Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."
"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over and saw you put, from your own pocket, the price of my food in the cash register -- I knew then that everything would be all right."
"So you started your own business?" Old Jack asked.
"I got a job that very afternoon, worked my way up, and, eventually I started my own business which, with the help of God, prospered."
She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to visit Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."
She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he asked.
"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus. He led me to you all those years ago when I was in need -- and He led me back to you today."
Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.
"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And, thank you for the coffee."
If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my e-mails, you might have missed a laugh or a word of encouragement.
But, if you have missed knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you have missed everything in the world.
Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you. God is so big He can cover the whole world with His love and so small He can curl up inside your heart.
When God leads you to the edge of the cliff -- trust Him fully and let go. One of two things will happen: either He will catch you when you fall -- or He will teach you how to fly!
God closes doors no man can open -- and, God opens doors no man can close. If you need God to open a door for you; all you need do is to ask; turn sincerely, in faith, to Him -- and, in a prayer of faith -- ask.
Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing to others.
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