Something to Strive For.

Disclaimer: I don't always read forwards. Actually, I usually don't, but I did for some reason when this one came to my inbox. You may have already seen it, if you read forwards, because I'm not sure how long it has been around. Additionally, I have no way to verify if it is true, but it is touching, and I would like to believe it is true. And even if it is not true, the message, the picture of this rings loud in my heart. 

His name was Bill. He had wild hair, wore a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He was brilliant; kind of profound and very,very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus was a well-dressed, very conservative church. They wanted to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decided to go there. He walked in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service had already started and so Bill started down the aisle looking for a seat.

The church was completely packed and he couldn't find a seat. By now, people were really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one said anything.

Bill got closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realized there were no seats, he just squatted down right on the carpet.

By that point the people were really uptight, and the tension in the air was thick.

About this same time, the minister realized that from way at the back of the church, a deacon was slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon was in his eighties, had silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit.  He was a godly man, very elegant, very dignified, and very courtly. He walked with a cane and as he started walking towards this boy, everyone was saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he was going to do.

How could you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It took a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church was utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes were focused on him.. You couldn't even hear anyone breathing. The minister couldn't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he had to do.

But then the congregation saw what they never would have expected. They saw the elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowered himself and sat down next to Bill to worships with him so he wouldn't be alone.

Everyone choked up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he said, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."

And... I would like to believe that I could be like either of these men. One with enough courage to make a place for himself, in a place where he may not fit. And the other that made him feel welcomed.  
So I'm here, and I'm still writing.