CROSSING THE GENERATION GAP

A friend sent me the following story. I had heard it many years ago - and loved it then. I still love it. Perhaps you will as well.

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.

He is brilliant, profound, and very bright. He became a Christian while in college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but have no idea how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his t-shirt, and wild hair. The service has begun, so Bill goes down the aisle seeking a seat.

The church is packed and he can't find a pew. Bill gets closer and closer to the pulpit. When he realizes there are no seats, he just sits down on the carpet.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, an elder is slowly making his way toward Bill.

The elder is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane, and as he starts walking toward this boy everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

The church is utterly silent. All eyes are focused on him. You can't hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the elder does what he will do.

Then they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With difficulty, he lowers himself, sits next to Bill, and worships with him.

Everyone chokes up with emotion.

When the minister gains control, he says, 'What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget.'

[Read this, and then read James 2:1-9. - Jerry.]