GRATITUDE Friday, January 25

18 years ago

Hey, folks...we made it to Friday. :-)

I am grateful for the one-legged scruffy man at church last night. We're a cowboy church, but we we don't have building. The owners a livestock sale barn let us use their facility free of charge, which means a lot of area farmers and ranchers (and other people) show up there that wouldn't dare enter a traditional "church." Because we have about 300 people each week and few expenses, we are in the unique position to give away most of the money we bring in to people who need a hand up. If someone needs help or knows someone who needs help, we just write them a check.

Well, a guy was at church last night who had never been there before. He had one leg (used crutches), very long hair, and was rather "scruffy." It would be easy to look at him and think, "He must have heard we give away money." I have kind of a high-profile role at church, and about 20 minutes into the service, I always go into the lobby for a few minutes.

Last night, when I got to the lobby, the scruffy man was there. He pulled me aside and said, "I'm pretty sure I can trust you. I don't like to do this in front of people." He balanced himself on his crutches, opened his wallet, peeled out two $100 bills, and handed them over. "Will you put this in the bucket for me?" he asked. (We have buckets at the entrance instead of passing an offering plate.) I assured him I would and then asked if he'd ever been there before. He hadn't and said he wasn't going to stay - that he was going to go sleep in his truck (probably a long-haul truck driver). He thanked me and walked out.

How cool is THAT? It just made me feel good and so grateful that I go to a church where we help people and get to see stuff like that happen routinely. And I'm grateful for the one-legged scruffy man - whoever he is - because his generous gesture will benefit someone less fortunate than he is.

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend.

Rita

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Comments (13)

alisande
18 years ago
Wow--that's a wonderful story, Rita! I'm sure it will stay with you for a long time.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to hang with my family and some of my favorite friends over the next two weekends. This is a real treat.

And by the way, it appears that Rita's story will stay with me for a long time, too. Remember the show "Friends"? I'm sorry to say that "scruffy man" is running through my head to the tune of Phoebe's "Smelly Cat."

LOL
okwriter
Original Author
18 years ago
I wasn't a Friends fan, so I don't remember the episode you mentioned. :) But it's funny how many things happen each day that remind me of a Seinfeld episode.
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Mystical Manns
18 years ago
What a beautiful lesson in giving, as well as receiving. It would be WONDERFUL to be part of your church.

It's been a really emotionally difficult week, so I'm very grateful it's coming to an end. Also extremely grateful for my *ex* daughter-in-law. She's a gem.
mcmann
18 years ago
That is a remarkable story Rita. It reaffirms your faith in man.

And no thank you Susan- Phoebe's 'Smelly Cat' is not going to sit in my brain all morning. I'm just going to start singing the theme song for Oscar Meyer weiners or some other lovely ditty instead.

as she mutters to herself "Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat its' not your fault, it's not your fault"
aarg- save me from the refrain!

But I am grateful for the time I can spend here. I really am enjoying getting to know everyone and I love reading all the comments from different personalities
okwriter
Original Author
18 years ago
OK, now I wanna know the song you're talking about! LOL!

Susan, enjoy your weekend - and next weekend, too.

Stoney, I'm sorry you've had a tough week. But I'm glad you have an *ex* DIL that you like. That doesn't happen often!

McMann, I'm glad your here. There are definitely lots of personalities, huh? :-) And yes, my faith in man is pretty pumped right about now.
Jamie_MS
18 years ago
I am thankful that my insurance company finally came through this week in paying my son's medical bills (from a wreck he had in July) The hospitals were pressing me for payment and I don't just happen to have that $12,000 right now! ha, ha

Seriously, it is like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
mikka_north
18 years ago
I am always grateful everyday, though I don't stop often stop long enough to reflect on how good life really is! Today though, I am grateful that we get to share and enjoy so much with each other.

*Rita I had to check in today to see what happened last night in church. What a great experience!

Rosie
bob411
18 years ago
Only part I can remember is.... Smelly cat, smelly cat. What are they feeding you.
okwriter
Original Author
18 years ago
Jamie, you ARE blessed! I had a burden lifted today when a client extended a nearly unobtainable deadline *whew!* but nothing like what you got! Good for the insurance company for stepping up to the plate!

Rosie, you don't have to post...just knowing you're here is enough. *smile* Thanks for coming around today.

Bob...oh, bob...smelly bob... NO WAIT! That's not right! LOL!
alisande
18 years ago
Here's a video of the song. You'll notice the lyrics aren't terribly sophisticated. Bob had some of them, and Mcmann had the rest. :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Smelly Cat
okwriter
Original Author
18 years ago
LOL! Thanks, Susan!!

Ummmm, dare I ask what the show was about -- considering they had a song about a "smelly cat." ???
ronf_gw
18 years ago
Speaking of cat videos this is one of my all time favorites.

Ron

Here is a link that might be useful: the cat came back
okwriter
Original Author
18 years ago
How funny, Ron! Now I'll have THAT song stuck in my head! :)

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