JUST CHECKING IN
A church elder passing through his church, in the middle of the day. Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle. The pastor frowned as he saw, the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kind of shabby and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed, each noontime came this chap. Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear. He decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said, he worked down the road, lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. 'I stay only for moments, see, cause the factory's so far away. As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say.' 'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY. SO, JESUS THIS IS JIM, CHECKING IN TODAY..' The church minister, feeling foolish, told Jim that it was fine. He told the man that he was most welcome to come and pray just anytime. 'Time to go', Jim smiled, said, 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door. The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. And as the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer: ''I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, THE Seminary route now appears far away, this is such and so simple in a way! BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU Jesus in EVERY DAY. AND THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.' For many days, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, But he'd given them a thrill.. The week that Jim was with them, Brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, were his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, Not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse's concern. No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile said, 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that HE's HERE ALL THE WHILE ! 'Everyday at noon He's here, a dear Friend of mine you see. He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:' 'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY AND SO, JIM, THIS IS JESUS, CHECKING IN TODAY.' I will wait for you - for that day! "HERE IS A TRUSTWORTHY SAYING: [Paul to his apprentice Timothy] If we died with Him we will also live with Him;" 2 Timothy Chapter 2 verse 11 (a) Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart May God hold you in the palm of His hand and Angels watch over you. I pray you are moved'''' So this is me ......... Just Checking In May this transform each one of us and may we live for the glory of God. And If you wish to respond: Read on: "Here I [Jesus] am! I stand at the door and knowck. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.." (Revelations chapter 3: verse 20) A childlike prayer: "Check in Lord Jesus, and simply walk in my life... Be with me, thank you for your friendship, and for taking away my sin here's me like Jim checking in"
