“For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in, if you with favor on the one wearing fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” James 2:2-4
It was a typical day at First Friendly Baptist church on that beautiful Sunday morning. Spirits were high as sister Melody belted out the chorus of Amazing Grace as the voices of the congregation engulfed the room. Smiles abounded until a small disturbance diverted the people’s attention. An older man had entered the sanctuary and gotten past the ushers at the door. It was too late to deter him…
Dressed in dirty hole riddled overalls, a greasy ball cap covering his long windblown hair, wearing old construction boots, he was making his way up the center aisle. His appearance was bad, but his odor was much worse. Did he just come from work at a fish factory, many wondered?
Finding no empty seat in the aisle the lone man made his way to the front of the communion table, plopped himself on the floor. Promptly looking up at pretty Melody, he joined her as she sang, “The Lord has promised good to me,” with the congregation now seemingly only mouthing the words.
What happened next would be etched in the memories of those who witnessed this spectacle for the rest of their lives. Old brother Clyde, the eldest deacon of First Friendly, slowly made his way up the center aisle. Dressed in his favorite pinstriped suit and tie, he walked all the way to the front. Staring down at the older man, put his hand on his shoulder and nodded. People thought they knew what Clyde might be saying until they saw him sit down on the floor, right next to their unexpected guest. Placing his arm on the man’s shoulders, he too joined in the chorus of Amazing Grace.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
Praising God for His grace and mercy!
Blessed by you…Bro. Sherman
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