The Stranger
A few years after I was born, my dad and mom met a stranger who was new to our small town. From the beginning, they were fascinated with this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family. The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.
As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind, he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors – mom taught me good from evil and dad taught me to obey. But the stranger was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for hours with adventures, mysteries and comedies. If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always knew the answers. He took my family to our first major league ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped talking but my parents didn’t seem to mind.
Dad and mom ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but after a few years the stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity was not allowed in our home – not from us, our friends or any visitors. But our long-time visitor got away with four-letter words that burned my ears, made my dad squirm and my mom blush. My parents didn’t permit the liberal use of alcohol but the stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He talked much too freely about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant, sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
I now know my early concepts about relationships were greatly influenced by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked, and NEVER asked to leave. More than fifty years have passed since the stranger first showed up. He has blended right in but is not nearly as fascinating as he was at first.
Still, if you could walk into my parents’ den today, you would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone to listen to him talk, to influence them. His name? I think you know what it is.
** Not sure where I picked up the above article but I think it’s brilliant
Prayer Needs This Week
- Healing – Kit Van Rennsalear, Melissa Kane, David Kessner, Geoff Thompson, Walter Viszolay, John Burns, Baby Harper, Paul Hester
- Salvation – Matthew, Ty, Cathy
- Kids who gave their hearts to Jesus last week at VBS
- Camp Pondo junior high trip taking place next week; will give you the names then
- Good sales for the art festival exhibitors
- Kids in blended families, suffering due to problems between divorced parents
The main aisle at the Sawdust Preview Party two weeks ago. Nikki’s booth is second from left. Photo: Mary Hurlbut
I don’t usually post my own picture but this one holding Beth’s baby is too good to not pass on. Photo: Mary Hurlbut
Passage This Week: “Awake O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise, making the most of your time as the days are evil.”
Ephesians 5:14-16
Finally: “Every day it becomes better to live in Christ and more perilous to live outside of Him.”
-J. Rufus Moseley
Pastor Jay