INTERFAITH WISDOM

Here is a ditty that popped up on my Face Book account.  It's not really a song but it is very poetic and I just have to share it.  I have taken some literary liberties.  See yetanotherstory.com for more like it.

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar to see who came to pray.  Just then the back door opened and an older man came down the aisle.  The minister frowned as he saw the man had not shaved in a while.  His shirt was torn and shabby and his coat was worn and frayed.  The man knelt down and bowed his head, then rose and walked away.  

In the days that followed at precisely noon, the preacher again saw this chap.  Each time, he sat just for a moment with a lunch pail in his lap.  

Well, the minister's suspicions grew - a robbery was his main fear.   He decided to stop and ask the man, "What are you doing here?"   The old man said he was a factory worker - lunch was just a half hour - and lunch time was his prayer time for finding strength and power.  "I only stay a moment because the factory's far away.  As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is what I say.  'I just came by to tell you Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin.  I don't know much of how to pray but I think about you every day.  So, Jesus, this is Ben, just checking in today'."  The minister, feeling foolish, told Ben that it was fine.  He told the man he was welcome to pray here any time.  "It's time to go and thanks," Ben said as he hurried to the door.  

Then the minister knelt there at the altar; which he'd never done before.  His cold heart melted, warmed with love as he met with Jesus there.  As tears flowed down his cheeks, he repeated old Ben's prayer.  "I just came by to tell you Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin.  I don't know much of how to pray but I think about you every day.  So Jesus this is me, just checking in today."

Past noon one day, the pastor noticed that old Ben hadn't come.  As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry some.  At the factory, he asked about him and learned that he was ill.  The hospital staff was worried but he'd given them a thrill.  The week that Ben was with them, he brought changes in the ward.  His smiles and joys contagious - changed people his reward.  The head nurse couldn't understand why Ben could be so glad - when no flowers, calls or cards came - not a visitor he had.  

The minister stayed by his bed - he voiced the nurse's concern - that no friends had come to show they cared - he had no where to turn.  Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up and said with a winsome smile, "The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know - He's been here all the while.  Every day at noon, he comes here - a dear friend of mine, you see.   He sits right down and takes my hand, leans over and says to me.  I just came by to tell you, Ben, how happy I have been, since we found this friendship and I took away your sin. I think about you always and I love to hear you pray.  And so Ben this is Jesus, just checking in today. "

PRAY