A Gift for the Taking

There are so many experiences in our churches that come to mind as I am recalling the last 44½ years of Jerry’s pastoral ministry—so many experiences, so many wonderful people associated with those experiences, and so many evidences of God’s efforts to bring people into a saving relationship with Him. The following is the recounting of such an experience that took place in one of our churches some 30 years ago. Although the story is written in a style that might be used as entertainment for a fictitious story, it is based on a really true story that really truly happened, with a message that is truly, really true:

Beside a sweet birch stood a sweet little church

Where voices so sweet and adoring

Were raised in sweet praise on sweet Sabbath days

And sour youth snickered, “How boring!”

This usual crowd, unusually proud

Of their attitudes, poor and deploring,

Sat slumped in their chairs with “Dare me” type stares,

Their Bible class teacher ignoring!

He drew a small pension, this teacher I mention—

A small cottage he occupied solely;

But you couldn’t find a jollier kind,

Just this one thing could make him feel lowly:

Each night on his knees he prayed, “Dear Lord, please,

Look down on these ‘hoodlums’ so precious;

Help them to see the goodness in Thee—

To this end, oh Father, do bless us;

But, amidst spit wads descending, this class sat pretending

That no matter the time or the weather,

They had it all, and what all they had,

They had all of it so together!

So, he developed a plan, this godly old man,

And while scanning o’er faces contorted,

He sought one to pray and promised that day

Such participation rewarded.

Most thought it was dumb, for what appeared to be gum

He explained would be theirs for the taking—

Just a short, simple prayer—they could stay in their chair—

Who’d consider the deal he was making?

Not a soul made a sound as they passed all around

The gift that the old man was giving—

Up one row, then down, but not a taker was found

Who thought it would be worth the ribbing.

So, back into the hand of the godly old man

Went the gift he had wanted so dearly

To give to the one who had willingly done

Just a prayer—for it wasn’t gum merely.

At the head of the class he stood poised for, at last,

His point—he was ready to make it;

And unwrapping the gum, he heard one succumb

And cry out, “Why didn’t I take it?”

“If we’d only known,” others started to moan,

For now plain in sight was some money;

And right about then, they questioned just when

They’d ever thought praying was funny.

That three-digit bill meant for them—it was real!

One "hun-dr-ed" dollars—rejected!

So close each had come—in their hands was the gum!

If only the prize they’d inspected!

Eyes haven’t seen—ears haven’t heard—

It’s never entered the heart of a man

What’s bestowed upon those whose fingers will close

‘Round a gift borne of heavenly plans.

Oh, what will you do when the gift comes to you?

Consider before you defame it—

The worth of a prize can’t be realized

‘Til you finally reach out and claim it!

With love, Karen Arnold