Many years ago a stately old man walked through the doors of our church. It was summer and it was quite warm but he was dressed in a suit, tie and a chapeau on his head. Very dapper and his presence demanded our attention. Mr. Williams brought his two grandchildren with him. For many summers he would visit his daughter and would come to the church we attended. On occasion he would be dressed in an all purpose coat with a warm hat on his head and we knew he was visiting his daughter for Christmas
Mr. Williams was pleasant, generous and we looked foward to his coming. When he would walk through the door, he was part of the family. He came to the pot lucks, Sunday School, Church! We became his church family home, away from home. One of the amazing things about this friendly saint was that he would learn everyone's name.
Then one summer, we didn't see him. We learned that he was not able to travel as he did. We were sad to think we wouldn't be seeing him any more, but we knew that we would meet up with him again some day and until then, we had our memories.
During one of his visits he told Jim about his home and Jim discovered that he had gone to school with Mr. Williams Son, Scott. Jim discovered that Mr. Williams was a retired preacher and Scott was now a Minister at a church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In 2004 Jim and I attended Jim's 50th highschool reunion that was held in El Monte, California. He met up with Scott and talked about his having met his father many years ago in Oregon while he was visiting Scott's sister. Talk about being a small world.
Dick was another man who came to visit while living with his son and became another one of those who just moved into the heart of our church. Dick didn't sing, teach or anything particularly special, except he was so friendly with a smile and a cheerful greeting that set my heart on fire. The first morning I met him, he said; "Morning Glory!" My heart took a somersault and it was a love affair that took wings. Morning Glory is very special to me!
After a while he began to share his life with two of his children. One lived in Washington, the other near our church. When he didn't come we knew he was with his daughter. Always delighted though, when he was home with his son. I remember him getting ready to attend his 60th highschool reunion. He was excited! He had attended many in the past but he was curious to know who was still around. He was in his late 70's! Anxious to go and had stories to tell.
I felt very sad when Dick became ill. He knew his time wasn't long but he made the most of it. He came to church when he could; we went to see him when he was up to visitors. He worked jigsaw puzzles and on good days, paint his pictures by numbers.
Remember when Jesus talks in Chapter 25 of Matthew about separating the sheep from the goats? He mentions feeding the hungry; inviting the stranger in; clothing the naked and visiting the sick and the imprisoned. When Jesus was asked; "But when did we see you hungry, thirsty, as a stranger, naked, sick or in prison?" Jesus replied; "When you did this to the brethren and even to the least of these, you did it to me." Have you ever wondered; "Am I a sheep or a goat?"
What if the visitor was a person who was not as friendly as these two men? What if the sojourner was quiet, standoffish and perhaps grumpy. Would we be as receptive to them as we were to Mr. Williams and Dick? I sat next to a young women this last Sunday and in talking with her afterwards I suggested she come again and sit next to us next Sunday. Her needs are many! On Sunday morning she got up and said; "I'm going to church!" I am glad she did and I am glad she chose to sit next to us. I am glad she was pleasant but more than that I am glad she sat next to us. We want to be sheep and do the will of God! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/7/09
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