It was a cold winter's day that
Sunday. The parking lot to the
church was filling up quickly.
I noticed as I got out of my
car that fellow church members
were whispering among themselves
as they walked to the church.

As I got closer I saw a man
leaned up against the wall
outside the church. He was
almost laying down as if he
was asleep. He had on a long
trench coat that was almost
in shreds and a hat topped
his head, pulled down so you
could not see his face.

He wore shoes that looked 30
years old, too small for his
feet with holes all over them,
his toes stuck out. I assumed
this man was homeless, and
asleep, so I walked on by
through the doors of the
church.

We all fellowship for a few
minutes, and someone brought
up the man laying outside.
People snickered and gossiped
but no one bothered to ask him
to come in, including me.

A few moments later church
began. We all waited for
the Preacher to take his
place and to give us the
Word when the doors to the
church opened. In came the
homeless man walking down
the aisle with his head
down.

People gasped and whispered
and made faces. He made his
way down the aisle and up
onto the pulpit. He took
off his hat and coat.

My heart sank. There stood
our preacher ... he was the
"homeless man." No one said
a word. The preacher took
his Bible and laid it on the
stand.

"Folks, I don't think I have
to tell you what I am preaching
about today." Then he started
singing the words to this song.

"If I can help somebody as I
pass along. If I can cheer
somebody with a word or song.
If I can show somebody that
he's traveling wrong. Then
my living shall not be in vain."


Justice - When you get what
you deserve.
Mercy - When you don't get
what you deserve.
Grace - When you get what
you don't deserve.