Once upon a time, a king had a great highway built for the people who lived in his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many of his subjects as desired to participate. The challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best, and the winner was to receive a box of gold.
On the day of the contest, all the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing and fancy food to make the trip a luxurious journey. Some wore their sturdiest shoes and ran along the highway on their feet to show their skill. All day they traveled the highway, and each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king about a large pile of rocks and debris that had been left almost blocking the road at one point, and that got in their way and hindered their travel.
At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a small chest of gold. He said, "I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This chest of gold was under it all. Please have it returned to its rightful owner."
The king replied, "You are the rightful owner."
"Oh no," said the traveler, "This is not mine. I've never known such money."
"Oh yes," said the king, "you've earned this gold, for you won my contest. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road better for those who will follow."
Remember those words of wisdom as you travel the road of life!
Just two little boys walking down a dusty lane They came upon this old white house With broken window panes.
The paint was faded, the shine was gone The grass had grown so high Still they made their little feet To see what was inside.
They opened up the squeaky door And then it came to light This must have been an old church house Once upon a time.
Dirty, dusty wooden pews A pulpit that still stood A bible laid upon it Though the pages weren't too good.
An offering plate and song books too Were lying on the floor They must have left this old church fast The day they closed these doors.
And over in the corner A piano was still there It must have played a pretty tune But I guess nobody cared.
So little Bill looked up at Tommy And Tommy looked at Bill Why Don't we clean this old church up, and get these old pews filled?"
They took a rag and wiped the dust To try and make things shine And then they took the offering plate And put in it their Last dime.
They took a broom and swept the floor And picked up broken glass They got it all so nice and neat And then they mowed the grass.
They lifted up the old church sign And stood it by a tree Right down by that old dirt road Where everyone could see.
They ran back home, to find Daddy gone But their Momma was inside Just to find her hurt again Where Daddy had made her cry.
"Don't cry Momma, wipe those tears," Little Bill and Tommy smiled "Cause we have a big surprise for you Just down the road a mile."
Hand in hand they tugged at her Until they made her run "What Is it Bill, Oh Tommy, Just what have you two kids done?"
And then they came upon the house Once hidden by the weeds And there it stood a country church Just like it used to be.
"But what is it, Mother? What's with your tears? We thought this would bring you joy." "Yes, but hush kids now and listen close My Two sweet precious boys."
They both got quiet and stood real still For the words they heard so true Was Daddy praying in the church With his head bowed on the pew.
"Forgive me Lord! Forgive me Lord! Though I'm not worthy of Your love Shine down on this sinner man Sweet Salvation from above."
"For I've been out in the world, You know Living my life all wrong Until I came upon this church; the place where I belong."
"I never noticed it before. All those times I passed it up I guess I wasn't looking, Lord. Or maybe I was drunk."
"Bless oh Lord, yes, bless oh Lord. The one who made me see This little church that used to hide Behind all those tall weeds."
And then he raised his head and stood With his hands high in the air To find two, dirty, tear-faced boys With Momma standing there.
They ran up to him, hugged him tight As their tears fell on the floor "Don't worry kids, I'm not the Dad, the one you've known before."
Things are different for us now So keep on those pretty smiles And let's go gather people in To walk down these church aisles."
Then Bill looked up at Tommy And Tommy looked at Bill "Come on brother, let's get to work To get these old pews filled."
"For we need no special blessing For cleaning up this church cause, God gave us back our Daddy And that's more than gold is worth."
Sunday morning, pews all filled And smiles on every face Especially two little country boys The ones who found this place.
Though it was hid back in the weeds And so far out of sight Nothing's ever hard to find If you're walking toward God's light.
1 John 1:7 "We walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
The Four Candles burned slowly. Their Ambiance was so soft you could hear them speak...
The first candle said, "I Am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit."
Then Peace's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
The second candle says, "I Am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable."
Then Faith's flame slowly diminishes and goes out completely.
Sadly the third candle spoke, "I Am Love and I haven't the strength to stay lit any longer." "People put me aside and don't understand my importance. They even forget to love those who are nearest to them."
And waiting no longer, Love goes out completely.
Suddenly...
A child enters the room and sees the three candles no longer burning.
The child begins to cry, "Why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay lit until the end."
Then the Fourth Candle spoke gently to the little boy, "Don't be afraid, for I Am Hope, and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles."
With Shining eyes the child took the Candle of Hope and lit the other three candles.
Never let the Flame of Hope go out of your life.
With Hope, no matter how bad things look and are...Peace, Faith and Love can Shine Brightly in our lives.
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