A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, TN.
One morning, they were eating breakfast at little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, "I hope he doesn't come over here." But sure enough, the man did come over to their table. "Where are you folks from?" he asked in a friendly voice.
"Oklahoma," they answered.
"Great to have you here in Tennessee." the stranger said. "What do you do for a living?"
"I teach at a seminary," he replied.
"Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you." And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple. The professor groaned and thought to himself, "Great... Just what I need another preacher story!"
The man started, "See that mountain over there pointing out the restaurant window". Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, 'Hey boy, Who's your daddy?' "Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, 'Who's your daddy?'
He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid going in to stores because that question hurt him so bad. "When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your daddy?'. But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd. "Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, 'Son, who's your daddy?' "
The whole church got deathly quiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your daddy'. This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy "'Wait a minute!' he said. 'I know who you are. I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God. With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'
With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again.
Whenever anybody asked him, 'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, 'I'm a Child of God'." The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, "Isn't that a great story?"
The professor responded that it really was a great story!
As the man turned to leave, he said, "You know, if that new preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!" And he walked away.
The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over and asked her, "Do you know who that man was who just left that was sitting at our table?"
The waitress grinned and said, "Of course. Everybody here knows him.
That's Ben Hooper. He's the former governor of Tennessee!"
Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they're one of God's children!
Some of you are aware how He on my routine appointments at the VA Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia points out to me some who need a human touch, the needs very great as a rule.
Yesterday, going for a lab draw and subsequent appointment in the Nephrology Clinic, it was a "God, green lights and Glory Day."
Had a new tape by Michael W.Smith - Worship Again - to make the 45-mile drive each way special, and go by quickly.
Somehow, everything went smoothly, and I was the one blessed over and over.
First thing was instead of a long line for the labs, I got in speedily.
The woman who often is the one who draws mine is a good friend and Christian, normally aglow.
In the summer she had caught me in the hall and asked if I would pray for her son - on a helicopter crew in Afghanistan. I of course added them both to my daily ones.
Yesterday we hugged right in front of God and Georgia - this other child of God happens to have dark skin.
She was quiet and subdued, and while pleased I remembered Walter's name, was just not herself. I didn't press her for details.
My physician in setting up in July for the labs now, forgot to add a CBC and urinalysis, and since I am seen only every 4 months, I mentioned it to the physician over him, who always reviews his findings.
She happens to have been my personal physician at the Medical College of Georgia before I began going to the VA, and treats me like her mother.
Evidently, she pointed out to him the oversight, having him call me after I got home to ask when it would be convenient to return for them, and I chose today.
Okay - while you are on a list and it doesn't matter what time you go - first come-first served is the only rule - I decided to beat the crowd, and was the 3rd one on the Sign In List.
When Rosa called me in, like yesterday, she seemed almost depressed.
While she was drawing the blood, I asked her what was wrong - if she were not feeling well. She replied her husband is hounding her every day to 'hang it up' and stay home. (Imagine she is perhaps 62 and could get early SS)
Just then, in came a blonde, older 'Helga the Storm Trooper' type, immediately spewing venom at Rosa.
Must be over her in the Lab Pecking Order.
This lab section is new, and Rosa is immediately in the front of the room - partition behind her, and on the other side, two setups for lab personnel who arrive later in the schedule to draw from patients.
LOUDLY, she berated Rosa about a collection wire basket cart that was in the BACK of the partition rather than "its place" by the entrance door.
A RATIONAL person might assume a cleaning person had moved it out of their way - wouldn't you??
She shoved it roughly, jerking it around, into place by the door, continuing her tirade - on and on, ignoring the fact I was present, blood being drawn from my arm.
She continued going off very loudly - "and left these dirty gloves back here, ETC." glaring at Rosa and continuing to what amounted to accusing her of gross negligence. Rosa never said a word, other than an initial "I did not put it there."
During this, I quietly put my hand on Rosa's forearm to steady her.
My heart broke, because I sensed she had been getting daily such lectures, setting her up to be fired, probably. (Maybe the reason her husband wanted her to quit ?!)
As an older and black woman, she had to take it.
I could see her spirit draining out of her second by second, unable to counter the assault.
"Time for ACTION," God prodded me.
I spoke loudly and clearly and coldly and (deadly) calmly to 'Helga':
"I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD STOP TALKING LIKE THAT WHERE I AND THE OTHER PATIENTS ARE SUBJECTED TO IT. "
( think lioness prepared to leap for her throat, growling softly )
(Kind of "Satan - LEAVE!!")
She looked as if I had thrown ice water in her face!!
OH, the triumph of the Lord, directing what Rosa COULD NOT do - and as 'Helga' tried to minimize her ranting and railing, glossing it over as ' well, it was just brief,'
SHE KNEW THAT I KNEW her mouth and heart !!
She left as fast as she could, and I put my hand back on Rosa's arm.
She knew absolutely God did it for her.
That look we exchanged without words is one of the most beautiful things in my lifetime.
She did mouthe 'thank you' - no more words were necessary.
Love of Him literally lit the room.
You KNOW it all was His orchestration, beginning in July, having my physician forget to write the lab orders correctly, and arranging to lift Rosa when she was just about to die inside.
Our God is so awesome!!