Proverbs 20:6 (NIV)
Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful
person who can find?
Once in a small farming town in Oklahoma, there lived a
poor fourth grade boy named Andy who would follow this route to school every
day: He had to cross the rugged plains and a dangerous highway where vehicles
recklessly drove to and fro. Once past this highway, the boy would take a short
cut by passing by the Church every morning just to say hi to Jesus, and
faithfully say his morning prayers. He was being watched by the pastor who
always found the boy's sincerity and innocence so uplifting in the morning.
"Hello Andy, How are you today", he would say
greeting the child.
"I'm fine Pastor Thompson, How are you" ...he
would say flashing his innocent grin.
Seeing the way that Andy went to school the pastor was so
concerned one day he talked to him. "From school...", he advised
"do not cross the highway alone, you can pass through the Church and then
I will accompany you to the other side of the road that way I can see that you
get home safe...."
"Thank you Pastor..."
"Why don't you go straight home ... why do you stay
in this church right after school?"
Andy replied, "I just want to say "Hi" to
my friend, Jesus," so the pastor would leave the boy to spend time praying
by himself beside the altar, but one day out of curiosity he hid behind the
altar to listen to what this boy had to say.
"You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I
did not cheat-although my seat mate was bullying me for notes ... you know,
Dad's had a bad farming season so far this year so we don't have much food but
I ate some bread and drank my water. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten
who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave some of my bread to him...
funny but I am not that hungry... Look, this is my last pair of shoes... I may
have to walk barefoot next week... you see this is about to be broken... but it
is okay... at least I am still able to go to school... some say we will have a
hard season this month, and some of my classmates have had to stop going to
school to help with the farms ... please help them get to school again, please
Jesus?... Oh, you know, Dad hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain
will pass away, at least I still have a Dad ... you want to see my bruises? I
know you can heal them ... here... here and....oh ...blood. I guess you knew
about this one, huh? Please don't be mad at Dad, he is just tired and worries
about putting food on our table and my schooling that is why he hits me... Oh,
I think I am in love... there's this pretty girl in my class, her name is
Anita... do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always
like me, I don't have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best
friend!
Hey your birthday is just one week from now!!! Aren't you
excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you.... but it is a
surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go..."
Then he stood up and calls out, "Pastor, I am
finished talking to my friend... can you accompany me to the other side of the
road now"?
This routine happened every day. Andy never failed to
visit the church. Pastor Thompson shared this every Sunday to the people in his
church because he had never before seen such pure faith and trust in God, and
such a very positive outlook in such negative circumstances.
The day before Christmas, Pastor Thompson became very ill
and was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to a substitute Pastor who
had little patience for children or for any interruptions in his work. He would
not smile and could always find fault in what other people were doing. On
Christmas Day he was in the Pastor's Study when Andy, coming from his Christmas
party, playfully dashed into the church calling, "Hi Jesus!!!!!"
"Who are you child and what are you doing in
here", the pastor yelled out angrily.
Poor Andy was so terrified. "Where's Pastor
Thompson? He always helps me cross the street.... and not only that, I have to
greet Jesus--it's His birthday, I have a gift right here...."
Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt,
the pastor grabbed Andy by the shoulder and pushed him out the door of the
church.
"I cannot be bothered right now I am preparing my
sermon for the Christmas service tonight. Also, next time be more reverent when
you come into the church", the man yelled as he closed the door behind
Andy.
So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side
of the road in front of the church by himself. As he crossed a fast moving bus
came in. There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his
shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time.
Andy died on the spot.
As people crowded around the body of the poor, lifeless,
young boy... Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man appeared in a pure white shirt
and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears... He came
and carried the boy in His arms, He was crying.
Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked,
"Excuse me sir, are you related to the child? Do you know him?"
The man in white, His face mourning and in agony,
answered, "He was my best friend
...” was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift from the shirt of
the lifeless boy, and placed it near his heart. He stood up and carried the boy
away and they both disappeared from sight.
The crowd was curious...
On New Years Eve, when Pastor Thompson returned home from
the hospital he learned of the shocking news. He went to visit Andy's parents,
and to ask them about the man in white he had been told about. He consulted the
parents of Andy. "How did you first learn of your son’s death?"
"A man in white brought him here." Sobbed the
mother.
"What did he say?"
The father answered, "He did not say anything. He
was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely at our son's death,
as if he knew our son very well. But there was something peaceful and
unexplainable about him. He gave me my son, and then he smiled peacefully. He
rubbed my son's hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, and
then he whispered something..."
"What did he say?"
"He said to my boy..." the father began,
"Thank you for the gift... I will see you soon... You will be with
me..." and the father of the boy continued, "and you know for a
while, it felt so wonderful... I cried, but I do not know why.... all I know is
I cried tears of joy... I could not explain it, but when that man left,
something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of love inside... I could
not explain the joy in my heart, I know my boy is in heaven now... but... tell
me, who was this man that my son talked to everyday in your church, you should
know because you are always there... except at the time of his death..."
Pastor Thompson suddenly felt the tears welling in his
eyes, with trembling knees, he murmured, "He was talking to
Jesus...."
Do you take time to talk to Jesus every day? Is He your
best friend?
Dear Lord we pray that this Christmas season we would
take the time to talk to You each day. We pray that we would call You our best
friend. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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