One Sunday a stranger entered the largest church in town
In the Foyer a man gave him a bulletin - and a frown.
Because he wasn't wearing a fairly new suit and tie
By the sneering faces and the silence, He could easily see why
He could never be accepted here, whatever He did, or said,
For this was a place of ritual, not where God's Word was read.
He turned and fled up the aisle and out through the large front door,
And knew that this place certainly had nothing He was looking for.
The next Sunday, at a larger church, He quietly stepped inside
And was greeted with a handshake, then a smile that quickly died
They all looked like they thought he'd worn his clothes to bed
He turned, halfway down the aisle, and out the door he fled.
Again, another week passed by, He kept trying to reach the goal
Of assurance that God could give him love and peace in his soul.
The next time, He went to a small church at the end of a city street
As He entered a man said, go on in and find yourself a seat.
After they sang a couple of songs that sounded like a funeral dirge,
They talked and begged for money until He was right on the verge
Of getting up and making his way to the sun and fresh air outside,
Their faces were sour and glum as though someone special had died.
Then one day He found a sign that said "River City Church"
And He wondered within himself, if this one would end his search.
Next Sunday he went a bit early,men were sitting or standing around
Drinking coffee, and from inside came the most cheerful sound.
It was the worship team led by Rodney, rehearsing the morning songs,
And as they warmly shook his hand, he forgot the world and it's wrongs
With smiling faces they greeted him and each one told him his name
And at first He had wondered if this was some kind of game.
But those inside hugged him, He thought it was because he was new,
But he soon discovered that they all hugged each other too.
And from Pastor to smallest child, they all passed his test
That no one else gave a hoot how anyone else was dressed,
Pastor Wendell waved his arms, shouted again and again
The precious blood of Jesus will wash away every stain.
Then led the stranger to Jesus, praying the sinner's prayer
The visitor admitted he'd never known that much love anywhere
And then the men had a breakfast one Saturday morning at eight
And they stood or sat talking,and laughing before they ate
Someone asked God's blessing on the conversation and food
The stranger soon discovered it was him they wished to include.
It didn't matter to any one there, how he looked or dressed,
It only mattered to them that He got fed and blessed.
He had found the church home and family he had been looking for
Jesus was in these people, and he would not search any more
By F. W. (Lucky) Hope
