The Stranger


JT Westbrook
     "My daughter needs a brain operation the stranger explained.  In order to help pay for the procedure, I'm selling these cocoa bombs to put in a cup of hot milk.  The cost is only six dollars each."  Since we were in the church foyer, I assumed she was a church member.  After buying one, I gave it to a man standing behind me. 
     Moments later the associate pastor walked up and in a polite way began questioning the woman.  When he realized she wasn't a member, he told her she needed to attend the upcoming service.  After assuring him that once the remaining cocoa bombs were put in the car, she would be back.  She left the building never to be seen again.
     I told my daughter about the incident. Also, that I had given what I bought away.  She said, "Mom, you don't know what it had in it.  It could have killed him."  Thank goodness it didn't.  

The Stranger

I saw a stranger with ragged clothes walk into church today.

He sat across from me bowed his head and began to pray.

In my mind, I wondered if he were a member or not.

I had never seen him before plus he sat in another's spot.

At the end of the service, I welcomed him with a smile.

It didn't matter how he dressed since he was God's child.
                                           Patricia Westbrook

     "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."  (John 7:24, NKJV).
     
 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

He Still Loves Me

Image
   Roy Lynn Westbrook Shock is the word for what my next to the oldest son revealed to me. He said, "As a teenager, two of my friends spent the night with me. When you and dad went to bed, we decided to go to the liquor store and buy some beer. We drank the beer and decided it wasn't for us. One of the boys threw up on the couch pull out bed. Didn't you wonder why we were washing sheets the next morning? Besides mom, I felt like you would prefer for me to drink my first beer at home." I told him from now on not to tell me things he had done in the past that I would not approve of be cause I couldn't do anythin g about it now. What I would advise parents of today is n ever underestimate what your children will do while you are sleeping. He Still Loves Me God knows my past and yet he still loves me. He holds my right hand as tight as can be. He forgave all the bad things I've done, By the crucifixion of Jesus His Son. When I accepted Him by
Read more

The Joy in One's Heart

Image
Roy Westbrook      Before our trip to Tahoka, Texas for my grandfather's funeral, my son was selected to cook hamburgers for lunch since he worked at Whataburger.  He was proud to show off his cooking skills.  When the time came to eat, we all sat down at the table.  After I finished my burger, all the children began to laugh.  Confused I asked what was so funny.  One of them spoke up and said, "Roy showed us how he cooked the meat at work.  When he cooked yours, he flipped it into the air, and it stuck on the ceiling.  We had to peel it off."  Since it tasted delicious and didn't kill me, I laughed with them. The Joy in One's Heart Often things happen and others laugh at your expense. Do you grin and bear it or go on the defense? Sometimes what's going on you just can't escape. What happens if it's really more than you can take? The joy in one's heart can come from the Lord. Relax, be calm, and don't take life so hard.                        
Read more

The Marriage Song

Image
           After almost twenty-two years of marriage, my husband and I decided to get a divorce. Two years later we reconciled and decided to remarry.  Wanting to get married quickly, we asked the pastor that officiated our daughter's wedding ceremony, in Waco, Texas, if he would marry us. After he agreed, we drove to his house in Gladewater. Texas, only six miles away.      When we arrived at his home, he had us sit on his couch while he proceeded to give us forty-five minutes of marriage counseling.  We wondered why he would counsel us since it wasn't our first time to get married. Afterwards he asked, "Would you mind if my guests watch your wedding?"  My husband answered, "I'd rather they didn't."      The pastor said, "It's your daughter's in-laws.  They are taking their daughter's wedding flowers and decorations to her in Houston.  On their way, they stopped by here for a couple of days."      With a change of heart, my hus
Read more