A friend of mine sent a story to me recently. I don’t know if it is tre, but it makes a very good point. What do you think about it.
A Christian
Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change.. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, “You’d better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.”
Then he thought, “Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.”
When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, “Here,you gave me too much change.”
The driver, with a smile, replied, “Aren’t you the new preacher in town?”
“Yes,” he replied.“Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I’ll see you at church on Sunday.”
When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, “Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.”
Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is an example of how much people watch us as Christians! Always remember that you carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself a “Christian.”
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Again, I don’t know if the story is true or not, but don’t you think that it makes an excellent point? It reminds me of a line from a poem I heard many years ago: “I rather see a sermon than hear one any day.” In other words, if you believe it, then live it everywhere you go.
(Chere, thanks for sending this to me)
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Mike,
This story impacted me greatly when I first read it, and still does. The writer makes the point so very clearly, I feel the emotions of that pastor when he gets off the bus and grabs the nearest light pole. Even if the story isn’t true to actual fact, the premise rings true quite loudly. We are indeed living sermons to those observing our lives. As a parent, I’m constantly reminded that my behavior matters, and alternately rewarded or chastised when I see that behavior mimicked by my children. They can be great teachers!
As the admonitions at the end of the story illustrate, it all comes back to controlling our thoughts. You may have heard the saying “What you think about, you bring about”. I’d have to say I have found that to be true, both in a negative and positive way. How wonderful that our Heavenly Father gave us the ability to choose our thoughts, and then gave us a book filled with the right ones from which to choose!
Great story! Thank you for sharing. I sent another one your way today 🙂
God bless you.
Very good. I’ll go a step further. In I Thess. 5:22 it says that we are to refrain from every appearance of evil. That’s something I’m working on.
It seems we all have things we are “working on,” Jeannie. Just make sure you don’t beat yourself up over it. Stay blessed!
Thanks, Chere. You are so right – we are free to choose what thoughts we think, and those thoughts make all the difference.
I believe that I met you in Ames, Iowa years ago at fellowship . I pray that all is well in your life and may God bless you.
Mark Keller
Mark, I remember your name, but am trying to remember your face! I oray all is well in your life as well! God bless you!