My Letter Today Dear Tommy I am going to be in your neighborhood Thursday December 25th and I would like to stop by for a visit. Love Always, Jesus I have a confession to make, I have been struggling over giving to the needy during this Holy Season, I even mentioned it to my Pastor Jess Page and we had a long discussion concerning this. It is becoming harder and harder to freely give to anyone who asks because of those who have made it their lifework to scam their way through life. I know many of you have experienced this disappointment when you have given freely and without forethought to someone who asked for help, only to find later that the circumstances weren’t as explained to you. I want to share the following story, author unknown that I happened across tonight. Now this story in some form or other has been around for years, but this is the first time I read this version. Ruth had received the above letter from Jesus. Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. “Why would the Lord want to visit me? I’m nobody special. I don’t have anything to offer.” With that thought, Ruth remember her empty kitchen cabinets. “oh my goodness, I really don’t’ have anything to offer. I’ll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner.” She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Seven dollars and forty cents. “Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least.” She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk….leaving Ruth with a grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt satisfied as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm. “ Hey lady, can you help us, lady?” Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadnt even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags. “Look lady, I aint got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and well, now its getting cold and we are getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we’d really appreciate it.” Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled band and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. “Sir, I’d like to help you, but I’m a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I’m having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him.” “Yeah, well, OK lady, I understand. Thanks anyway.” The man put his arm around the woman’s shoulder, turned and headed back into the ally. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. “ Sir wait!” The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. “Look, why don’t you take this food. I’ll figure out something else to serve my guest.” She handed the man her grocery bag. “Thank you lady. Thank you very much!” “yes, thank you!” It was the man’s wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering. “You know, I’ve got another coat at home. Here, why don’t you take this one?” Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman’ shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street……without her coat and with nothing to serve her guess. “Thank you lady! Thank you very much!” Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didnt have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. “thats odd. The mailman doesnt usually come twice in one day.” She took the envelope out of the box and opened it. Dear Ruth It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you too, for the beautiful coat. Love Always Jesus. The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed. Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?” The King will reply, “ I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” During this Holy Season; we all have received the letter from Jesus accepting our invitation to our homes and hearts The only question left for Tommy is this; Will I receive a thank you letter from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Please pray for God to give me a heart without judgment, give me the ears to hear when He calls, the willingness to let Him decide who gets the bread and cold cuts. On December 26th my prayer for you, my friends, is you shall receive His letter of thanks; then you will have truly experienced that which you seek,the Christ Child in all His glory on His birthday! Blessings t.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 02:35:17 +0000
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