The Bum and the Brown Bag On a dark winter’s night as the chill wind blew on a park bench an old man there lay Tattered and torn, tired withered and worn he’d not eaten for more than a day Heartache and fears and much sadness and tears was his life – fate had dealt a poor hand He thought once or twice of the terrible price he’d paid not obeying God’s command Way back in his youth he was taught gospel truth and the Spirit had led him to preach But judging was he – the way things ought to be so instead he decided to teach He made a good start and he had a kind heart - untold were his many good deeds Yet often he found – one who’d pray and kneel down but he couldn’t attend their soul’s needs A college professor he’d been for a while but soon the years took a sad toll Divorce – loss of wealth – no job and poor health had left just a bum – growing old He lay there in pain – a slight drizzle of rain most certain he’d freeze to the bone As he thought of the past- a deep sigh came at last he guessed he’d just die there alone Then, strangely appeared, a man standing quite near He asked, “may I sit for awhile?” And though it was dark – in his eye was a spark and his face bore a kind loving smile He said, “Sir I perceive that you didn’t receive all the good things God planned for your life; By the look on your face I can somehow retrace that you’ve lived through much anguish and strife.” “God’s judgment won’t count all the sins you repent and it’s never too late to restart - So kneel here with me and together let’s see if God will re-enter your heart; Together they prayed and a long time he stayed - A soul was reborn on that night Then as suddenly he came – he was gone with no name He’d vanished completely from sight A brown bag he’d brought of food the old man sought was all that remained at his side The food warmed his body – the words fed his soul Now Christ. . . . within him . . . . did abide The brown paper sack on the park bench there had these words – written with love- “God sent His Son . . . . . . .and He also sent me” “And a little . . . . . .manna from above.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:02:32 +0000