A minister had just closed a revival in a huge Midwestern city. He stepped on the train on his way home and found himself seated beside a young man. Just to kind of pass the time away, he tried to start up a conversation. He noticed that he didnt receive an answer. He turned to the young man and said, Son, Im a preacher. Im a minister. Ill be glad to help you any way I can. And the young man, through his tears, proceeded to tell his story. He said: Preacher, two years ago I got so mean at home that my mom and dad couldnt do anything with me. But one day I even went so far as to strike my father with my fist. He told me then, Son, I hate to do it. Its going to break your mommas heart. But we want you to just get away from here--just leave this house. Preacher, I wandered all over this country for the past two years. And then about three weeks ago I gave my heart and life to Jesus. I wrote Mom and Dad a letter and told them Id be on this old train. I told them I was coming home. The preacher said, Son, thats well and good, but how do you know youre going to be welcome? How do you know that your Mom and Dad will even let you go home? The young man said, Preacher, weve lived beside these old railroad tracks all of my life in a little white house. And out behind the house is a great big old apple tree. And I told my dad in my letter, if I was welcome home and he and my mom could see it in their hearts to forgive me of all the pain and heartache I caused, for Dad to go out there in the backyard and hang a little white rag on top of that tree. And I could see it from the train. And Id know by that signal that everything was all right. Preacher, would you look for me and tell me what you see? I want to go home so bad and Im so sorry for all the things Ive done. Tell me if you see one little teeny white rag on top of that tree. Well, the old preacher not knowing what to expect wiped the window of that old train off and looked out. And he had a great big smile and said, Son, you can relax. That apple tree is in full bloom! I never saw so many white rags tied on anything in all of my life. And thats not all. Out under the apple tree I see that grey haired old Mom and Dad standing out there waving a big white bed sheet saying Come home son. Welcome home. We love you. And you know, thats just like God. No matter how weve wasted our lives, no matter how far in sin weve sunk, all we have to do is say, Jesus, I want to live for you. Forgive me of my sins. And you know, Hell welcome each and every one of us home.
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 04:39:53 +0000
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