He Stood There

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful time with your family and friends, giving thanks to God who gives us all the wonderful things we enjoy. I am so thankful for my salvation and the Bible. God's Word is my best source of encouragement, wisdom and instruction.

I thought it would be fitting to share a story that I wrote, based on a special Thanksgiving weekend that happened during my college days. My sister and I joined a couple of our friends in their home for the long weekend. I hope your heart is blessed and challenged to be a "light" to those who need Christ. Holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are wonderful times to share Christ with those who need Him. Hearts seem to be more tender during those seasons as well. I don't know if the main character in my story, Papa, has come to the Lord, but I sure hope that he has. (By the way, you may share this story with the people in your home, but please do not duplicate or copy this in any way. Thanks!)

He stood there

Head bowed and eyes focused on the ground,

he stood there.

We exchanged good-byes, but I could tell something was wrong. He was deeply saddened that his children were leaving once again. I was merely a guest for the holiday weekend, so my leaving, most likely, did not affect him.

It was a wonderful time of dining, enjoyment, as well as relaxation. Instead of the usual turkey feast, we had a juicy ham with all the traditional fixin's. One of the reasons why it was a great time was that my sister was there, so it felt like I was home. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves by taking walks, sitting around the piano and singing to the Lord, or just talking to one another--lifting each other up...

and he stood there watching.

We also found time to read and work on our school projects. Occasionally, we took "funny story" and "poetry time" breaks to get a way from the books. We joked around, and laughed so much...

and he stood there listening.

At the end of our weekend, we took numerous pictures of one another. My sister and I took pictures of the family. I noticed three big joyful smiles,

and he stood there with a half grin.

As we were packing our things I asked him, "Papa, are you going to miss us?"

And standing there,

he said, "Yup." We backed out of the driveway and stopped to pray to the Lord thanking Him for the blessed weekend. As soon as I opened my eye, I noticed that Papa was no longer in the garage, but in the living room. I saw his facial expression as he waved to us.

And he stood there

as we drove off. My heart was tremendously impacted because of the testimonies of the other three family members. Papa needs Christ, and he doesn't realize that yet. He thinks that he's too good for the gift of salvation. Romans 3:12 says, "...there is none that doeth good, no, not one." With much fervent prayer, Mama and children are waiting on the Lord to change Papa's heart. Just like Papa,

the world stands there

watching and listening to us. Are we being the light to the world that we need to be? This thought entered my mind during the break. When I'm outside walking down the sidewalk, I see people with half grins and hopeless eyes. They are lost...they need Christ. When I see them, I also see Papa, watching, listening...

standing there.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see yoiur good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16