IT COMES BACK

IT COMES BACK

September 25, 1998

Dear Friends,

It was Woman's Day at my church. . . . The guest minister entered the pulpit. . . . I tried to catch her eye. . . . I knew her. . . . Does she remember me? . . . It had been a long time. . . . She passed by me . . . I saw no hint of recognition. . . . "She doesn't remember me," I thought. "I'll introduce myself to her later. Perhaps then, she will remember. After all it's been such a long time." With this thought in mind, I settled back to enjoy the service . . . . It was time for the sermon . . .The guest minister rose from her seat and stood before the congregation. . . . . . .She greeted the pastor, the congregation . . . Then. . . .She paused. . . .We waited . . . Finally . . . She spoke . . . "There is someone here I must thank." . . . She paused again. . . .(Of course, she now had the attention of each and everyone present!) . . . We waited for her to continue. . . . When she did, she told us a story:

Years ago I was invited to a church. At this time I was in the world and unsaved. I went, and there I met a woman. She was a quiet woman and maybe even a little shy, but this woman did something for me I'll never forget. She cared. She cared enough reach out to me, to encourage me. Because her gentle, but persistent persuasion, I joined the choir and begin to participate in the life of the church. Then, . . . she left me. . . . She moved to another . . . I never had an opportunity to thank her. That woman is here today.

In unison, the congregation - and me(!) - moved to the edge of our seats. The unspoken question, "Who was this woman?" echoed throughout the sanctuary . . . Then . . . the minister turned in my direction . . . called my name . . . and said, "thank you."

"Cast your bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days" (Ecclesiastes 11:1 KJV)

In the Master's Love,

The Preacher,
Rev. BWilliamsWaters,

email: Preacher.The@usa.net