Written
and/or Re-typed by Johanna Hobrath, July 23, 2010
The
email message entitled "IT
WAS ONLY A QUARTER"
was received from a Christian friend on July 16, 2010. This email
message is a "Lesson In Honesty". No matter what
your stature in life, people do realize what your character stands for in
life.
"IT
WAS
ONLY
A QUARTER"
(The
above clipart is copied from clipart.com)
SEVERAL YEARS
AGO, A PREACHER FROM OUT-OF-STATE ACCEPTED A CALL TO A CHURCH IN HOUSTON ,
TEXAS.
SOME WEEKS AFTER HE ARRIVED, HE HAD AN OCCASION TO RIDE THE BUS FROM HIS
HOME TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA. WHEN HE SAT DOWN, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE
DRIVER HAD ACCIDENTALLY GIVEN HIM A QUARTER TOO MUCH CHANGE.
AS HE CONSIDERED WHAT TO DO, HE THOUGHT TO HIMSELF, 'YOU'D BETTER GIVE THE
QUARTER BACK. IT WOULD BE WRONG TO KEEP IT.' THEN HE THOUGHT,
'OH, FORGET IT, IT'S ONLY A QUARTER. WHO WOULD WORRY ABOUT THIS
LITTLE AMOUNT? ANYWAY, THE BUS COMPANY GETS TOO MUCH FARE; THEY WILL
NEVER MISS IT. ACCEPT IT AS A 'GIFT FROM GOD' AND KEEP QUIET.'
WHEN HIS STOP CAME, HE PAUSED MOMENTARILY AT THE DOOR, AND THEN HE HANDED
THE QUARTER TO THE DRIVER AND SAID, 'HERE, YOU GAVE ME TOO MUCH
CHANGE.' THE DRIVER, WITH A SMILE, REPLIED, 'AREN'T YOU THE NEW
PREACHER IN TOWN? I HAVE BEEN THINKING A LOT LATELY ABOUT GOING
SOMEWHERE TO WORSHIP. I JUST WANTED TO SEE WHAT YOU WOULD DO IF I
GAVE YOU TOO MUCH CHANGE. I'LL SEE YOU AT CHURCH ON SUNDAY.'
WHEN THE PREACHER STEPPED OFF OF THE BUS, HE LITERALLY GRABBED THE NEAREST
LIGHT POLE, HELD ON, AND SAID, 'OH GOD, I ALMOST SOLD YOUR SON FOR A
QUARTER.'
OUR
LIVES ARE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE WILL EVER READ.
WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS; THEY BECOME WORDS.
WATCH YOUR WORDS; THEY BECOME ACTIONS.
WATCH YOUR ACTIONS; THEY BECOME HABITS.
WATCH YOUR HABITS; THEY BECOME CHARACTER.
WATCH YOUR CHARACTER; IT BECOMES YOUR DESTINY.
I'M GLAD A FRIEND FORWARDED THIS TO ME AS A REMINDER.
STAY FAITHFUL AND BE GRATEFUL
