One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before
services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were
spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very
worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an
equally worn out old bible. It had high cathedral ceilings, ornate
statues, beautiful murals and stained glass windows, plush carpet, and
velvet like cushioned pews. The building must have cost many millions of
dollars to build and maintain. The men, women and children of the
congregation were all dressed in the finest and most expensive suits,
dresses, shoes, and jewelry the old cowboy had ever witnessed.
As the poorly dressed cowboy took a seat the others moved away from him.
No one greeted him. No one welcomed him. No one offered a handshake. No
one spoke to him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not
attempt to hide the fact. There were many glances in his direction as
the others frowned and commented among themselves about his shabby
attire. A few chuckles and giggles came from some of the younger
members. The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone
and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's
work. When the offering plate was passed thousands of dollars came
pouring forth. As soon as the service was over the congregation hurried
out. Once again no one spoke or even nodded to the stranger in the
ragged clothes and boots.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church the preacher approached him.
Instead of welcoming him, the preacher asked the cowboy to do him a
favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and
ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worshiping in
this church," the preacher said. The old cowboy assured the preacher he
would do that and left.
The very next Sunday morning the old cowboy showed back up for the
services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once
again the congregation was appalled at his appearance. He was completely
shunned and ignored again. The pastor walked over to where the man sat
alone. "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to
our church," the preacher said. "I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be
for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher. "Well sir", said the old
cowboy, "God told me that He wouldn't have the slightest idea what was
appropriate attire for worshiping in your church. He says He's never
even been in here before."
_________________
Would you want me
When Im not myself
Wait it out
While I am someone else
services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were
spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very
worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an
equally worn out old bible. It had high cathedral ceilings, ornate
statues, beautiful murals and stained glass windows, plush carpet, and
velvet like cushioned pews. The building must have cost many millions of
dollars to build and maintain. The men, women and children of the
congregation were all dressed in the finest and most expensive suits,
dresses, shoes, and jewelry the old cowboy had ever witnessed.
As the poorly dressed cowboy took a seat the others moved away from him.
No one greeted him. No one welcomed him. No one offered a handshake. No
one spoke to him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not
attempt to hide the fact. There were many glances in his direction as
the others frowned and commented among themselves about his shabby
attire. A few chuckles and giggles came from some of the younger
members. The preacher gave a long sermon about Hellfire and brimstone
and a stern lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's
work. When the offering plate was passed thousands of dollars came
pouring forth. As soon as the service was over the congregation hurried
out. Once again no one spoke or even nodded to the stranger in the
ragged clothes and boots.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church the preacher approached him.
Instead of welcoming him, the preacher asked the cowboy to do him a
favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and
ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire for worshiping in
this church," the preacher said. The old cowboy assured the preacher he
would do that and left.
The very next Sunday morning the old cowboy showed back up for the
services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once
again the congregation was appalled at his appearance. He was completely
shunned and ignored again. The pastor walked over to where the man sat
alone. "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to
our church," the preacher said. "I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be
for worshiping in here?" asked the preacher. "Well sir", said the old
cowboy, "God told me that He wouldn't have the slightest idea what was
appropriate attire for worshiping in your church. He says He's never
even been in here before."
_________________
Would you want me
When Im not myself
Wait it out
While I am someone else
