One of those things someone e-mailed me that I actually agree with. I’ve visited a few of them when I first went church shopping.
One Sunday morning, an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt, and boots that were worn and ragged. In his hand, he carried a worn-out old hat and an equally worn, dog-eared Bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the congregation were all dressed in expensive clothes and fine jewelry. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by his appearance and did not attempt to hide it.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and asked the cowboy to do him a favor. “Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship in church.” The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. The preacher approached the cowboy and said, “I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church.”
“I did,” replied the old cowboy.
“And what was his reply?” asked the preacher.
“Well, sir, God told me that he didn’t have a clue what I should wear. He said he’d never been in this church.”
How would Jesus vote?
The lens popped out of my glasses yesterday, and the little screw got lost. So if you see me walking around with my prescription sunglasses today, even when it’s not that sunny out, you’ll know why…
Cute story. 🙂
This is something that drives me nuts: Seniors in the church who think kids should dress up, that I should dress to the nines because I’m the pastor’s wife. I wear jeans during the winter and casual, often fun flowery ensembles during the summer. I tell the parishioners I’m young at heart. I also tell them, “If Jesus walked in here right now, who would he want to sit by? Someone dressed up like a Pharisee, or one of our kids with holes in their jeans? Or me, because I’m dressed down, relaxed, and ready to pour my heart and soul into worship?” Thanks for bringing this up, Roger. It’s more than a punch line: It’s a lesson to all churchgoers. Amy
Heh. Makes me wonder why the Old Cowboy went back for more abuse. Perhaps he was Jesus of Nazareth himself?