She walked slowly into the
beautiful church. She had dressed in her best dress and her favorite hat. A
slight smile touched her lips. She was in God’s house, and she was so happy. She
had no idea that her coat smelled of moth balls and the hat was stained.
Heads turned toward her and whispers were going strong in the congregation.
Tilley put her head down and walked to a pew to sit down. When she sat down, a
couple got up and moved. It was as if everyone in the place was looking at her.
How she wished Sharon would hurry up.
Sharon walked into the church with a warm smile that soon faded. She saw Tilley
sitting alone in a pew with tears rolling down her cheeks. Sharon sat down and
put her arm around Tilley and held her close.
She whispered to Tilley, “We can leave if you want. We don’t need to stay here.”
Tilley shook her head. She had dressed up and come to church and she was going
to stay.
By now the pastor noticed the stir in the church and looked around. He soon
became well aware of what was going on. He walked to the back of the church to
welcome both Tilley and Sharon.
He leaned over and asked Tilley, “Would you ladies do me the honor of sitting in
the front pew with me?”
A shine entered into Tilley’s eyes and she nodded.
The music had started and it was just beautiful. Tilley was now so glad she had
stayed.
After the music stopped, Sharon leaned over to ask the Pastor a question.
He smiled and said, “Please do.”
Sharon stood in front of the church and squared her shoulders. “Today is a very
special day for Tilley, it is her birthday and she is 90 years young. All she
wanted for her birthday was to go to church. We picked this one out for it is
lovely. I want to personally thank each of you for your kindness.”
One could have heard a pin drop.
The Pastor stood and walked to the pulpit. He looked over the congregation and
said, “I had a sermon all ready for today but I do believe I need to change it.
Today we need to go to Hebrews 13:1&2.
He read the Scripture loud and clear. Once again he looked at the congregation
and said, “I hope each and every one of you go home and think on not only this
Scripture but how Christ-like you acted today. May God go with you all.”
Sharon and Tilley stood to leave and he walked over to them and gave each of
them a hug. “Tilley, I pray that you have a blessed birthday and I so thank you
for coming here and sharing your day with us. I also thank you for showing all
of us a hard lesson, one we needed to learn.
Hebrews 13:1&2 “Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to
entertain strangers, by so doing some people have entertained angels without
knowing it.”
Sharon Niese nananpopo@wcnet.org
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