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Divide And Multiply
Mary struggled to get by each winter. Her bills went up while her income went down. One wintry day Marys refrigerator sat empty. Her only food consisted of peanut butter, bread, and bananas. Mary had only enough for two sandwiches and there were four more days until she got paid again, but Mary never worried. She knew God wrapped His everlasting arms around her every day, summer or winter.
As Mary prepared to sit down and eat half of her bounty, she heard a knock at the door.
May I help you? Mary asked as she opened the door to see a stranger standing and shivering before her.
Could you spare a crust of bread? the stranger asked.
No, Mary said, but I could make you a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
That sounds wonderful, the stranger answered. Mind if I wait here on the porch?
Yes, I do mind, Mary replied. But you could come in and eat it at the table.
Not expecting both food and warmth, the stranger eagerly entered the house.
Would you like to warm yourself by the fire while I fix the sandwiches?
That would be nice, if you dont mind.
Mary left the stranger and hurried off to the kitchen to the last four pieces of bread, the last two bananas, and the bottom of the jar of peanut butter.
In a few minutes she returned.
Supper is ready. Im sorry, but I only have hot tea and water to drink. Which would you like?
If you have enough hot tea, that sounds great.
Hot tea, it is, Mary replied.
Mary made and poured the tea and she and the stranger sat down to eat.
Lord, I thank you for your bounty. In Jesus name. Amen.
Amen, repeated the stranger.
Where are you from? Mary asked.
Oh, no place in particular.
Where are you staying now?
Well, I dont really have a place right now.
_Well, where do you plan to stay tonight?_
I havent really thought about it.
I assume that means you dont have anywhere to stay.
Well, not yet, anyway.
Well, now you do, if the couch is good enough for you.
Good enough! It would be more than good enough!
Well, Ill bring you some blankets after we eat. I bet youre tired and would like to get to sleep.
Well, yeah, I really am tired, and it sure would be nice to get to sleep without the biting wind whipping in my face.
After they finished eating, Mary headed to the linen closet. She located a sheet, a couple of blankets, a towel, and a wash cloth and handed them to the stranger.
The bathroom is in there in case you want to wash up.
That would be nice.
Mary left the stranger and headed off to her room.
Upon awakening the next morning, Mary remembered the stranger.
How will I tell him I have nothing for breakfast? she asked herself.
Mary dressed and then opened the door slightly. Are you awake?
There was no answer, so Mary called out again. Are you awake, sir?
Again she received no answer. Mary headed to the living room where she found the sheet and blankets neatly folded and an envelope lying on top of them. Mary opened the envelope and found a note which read, Because you were willing to give, you have received.
Mary had no idea what the stranger meant until she went into the kitchen and found her refrigerator and cabinets stocked with food.
Copyright 2002 Steve Demaree
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
moviesteve@rocketmail.com
Submitted by Richard
Mary struggled to get by each winter. Her bills went up while her income went down. One wintry day Marys refrigerator sat empty. Her only food consisted of peanut butter, bread, and bananas. Mary had only enough for two sandwiches and there were four more days until she got paid again, but Mary never worried. She knew God wrapped His everlasting arms around her every day, summer or winter.
As Mary prepared to sit down and eat half of her bounty, she heard a knock at the door.
May I help you? Mary asked as she opened the door to see a stranger standing and shivering before her.
Could you spare a crust of bread? the stranger asked.
No, Mary said, but I could make you a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
That sounds wonderful, the stranger answered. Mind if I wait here on the porch?
Yes, I do mind, Mary replied. But you could come in and eat it at the table.
Not expecting both food and warmth, the stranger eagerly entered the house.
Would you like to warm yourself by the fire while I fix the sandwiches?
That would be nice, if you dont mind.
Mary left the stranger and hurried off to the kitchen to the last four pieces of bread, the last two bananas, and the bottom of the jar of peanut butter.
In a few minutes she returned.
Supper is ready. Im sorry, but I only have hot tea and water to drink. Which would you like?
If you have enough hot tea, that sounds great.
Hot tea, it is, Mary replied.
Mary made and poured the tea and she and the stranger sat down to eat.
Lord, I thank you for your bounty. In Jesus name. Amen.
Amen, repeated the stranger.
Where are you from? Mary asked.
Oh, no place in particular.
Where are you staying now?
Well, I dont really have a place right now.
_Well, where do you plan to stay tonight?_
I havent really thought about it.
I assume that means you dont have anywhere to stay.
Well, not yet, anyway.
Well, now you do, if the couch is good enough for you.
Good enough! It would be more than good enough!
Well, Ill bring you some blankets after we eat. I bet youre tired and would like to get to sleep.
Well, yeah, I really am tired, and it sure would be nice to get to sleep without the biting wind whipping in my face.
After they finished eating, Mary headed to the linen closet. She located a sheet, a couple of blankets, a towel, and a wash cloth and handed them to the stranger.
The bathroom is in there in case you want to wash up.
That would be nice.
Mary left the stranger and headed off to her room.
Upon awakening the next morning, Mary remembered the stranger.
How will I tell him I have nothing for breakfast? she asked herself.
Mary dressed and then opened the door slightly. Are you awake?
There was no answer, so Mary called out again. Are you awake, sir?
Again she received no answer. Mary headed to the living room where she found the sheet and blankets neatly folded and an envelope lying on top of them. Mary opened the envelope and found a note which read, Because you were willing to give, you have received.
Mary had no idea what the stranger meant until she went into the kitchen and found her refrigerator and cabinets stocked with food.
Copyright 2002 Steve Demaree
=====
Steve Demaree
1608 Summerhill Drive
Lexington, KY 40515
(606) 271-2416
moviesteve@rocketmail.com
Submitted by Richard
