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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Purposefulness (Purpose in Life) (05/25/06)
I have a preacher who is a good man.

He has a heart problem, but he WAS in charge of "Buildings and Grounds", which required him to mow the church lawn and maintain it's upkeep.

You have to understand that when I fell away from the church, I did it in a BIG way.

When I went BACK to the church I figured that I ought to be "upfront" with the preacher and ask his permission to rejoin the church of Christ.

I sat down in front of this man and I told him of my sorry state and then I said, "So tell me...Do you think that I can worship at this church?"

He looked at me and he said something that I will never forget.

He said "You know...the church is not a "hotel for saints...It's a hospital for sinners. You don't have to ask ME if it's O.K. for you to worship here".

So I stayed.

A few months later he handed out a chain link to each of us to put on our keychains. He explained that each of us may be the only link to God that other people may ever see.

I have never lost that link.

I carry it with me every day, when I am mowing the church lawn, or am trying to talk to somebody about God or picking up trash...

And I remember, "we are but worthless servants...we have only done our duty". (LUKE 17:10)

And I smile softly as the link in my pocket softly scuffs my leg...and I reach for one more piece of crabgrass and I realize that I may have found my purpose.
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This article has been read 968 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Brenda Kern 
06/03/06
Great illustration, both on the part of your preacher and you, for passing it along here!

Good writing, and good structure.
Steve Uppendahl
06/04/06
I really liked this piece. Very honest and heart felt. Great description of "the link" literally (scratching your leg) and what it means to you spiritually. Very nice job.

Keep it up.
Valerie Routhieaux
06/08/06
Thank you for sharing this. We are all links in God's chain and we have a divine purpose to share God with whomever God puts in front of us.
Your simple message brought tears to my eyes and hope to my heart.
Whatever you do with this gift God gave you to write, don't give up.
Marilyn Schnepp 
09/23/06
Great piece of writing! I loved the preacher's words about "not being a hotel but a hospital for sinners"; your story gave a tug at my heartstrings. Great job. Love your writing!