One night an unemployed man was worrying about how he was going to pay his bills, that were already over due. He had searched and searched for a job, but he couldn't find one. The man was down to his last 50 cents. The two quarters in his pocket, was all that he had to his name. He looked around at his wife and children and was feeling so ashamed that he had failed them. He decided to use the 50 cents to buy another newspaper. Maybe today someone had placed a help wanted ad in the paper.

He got in his old run down car and drove down state highway #1947 towards Grayson, Ky. Two miles from Grayson the car ran out of gas. He got out and started walking, the rain was pouring down hard.  When he got to Barretts Creek Church, 1.8 miles from Grayson, the man was soaked from head to toe.

Barretts Creek Church was building a new church beside of the old one that they were using. The new church didn't have any doors or windows in it yet, so the man went inside the rough structure that was soon to be Barretts Creeks' new church. His plan was simply to get in out of the rain.

While he was standing in God's Church, waiting for the rain to slack down some, he could feel God's presence's there. Tears started to roll from his eyes. He knelt down on his knees to pray, he said "Lord, it's been a long time since I've been in your house, too long I know."

"Lord, I'm sure you know the mess that I'm in. It's my fault for trying to do it all on my own and forgetting about you. I've been so foolish Lord, please forgive me. I need to get back in church and since I know for sure that you are here in this one. I think this is the one, this is where me and my family should be. I ask that your will to be done, and in Jesus precious name I ask, Amen."

The man got up and started on his way again, on the long, wet walk to Grayson. The two quarters, jingled in his other wise empty pocket as he walked. He was now filled with joy and hope, for he no longer felt like he was walking alone. He knew Jesus had always been there by his side and ready to help, but he hadn't asked Jesus for help lately. He realized that he couldn't possibly be fruitful, when he was so far removed of from the vine.

When he had walked a little ways farther, a pickup truck stopped and the driver offered him a ride. The driver asked if that was his car that was sitting beside of the road? The man said "Yes, I ran out of gas." The driver said "Your lucky I came a long, I'm on my way to Grayson to get a newspaper." The man said "So am I."

The driver said "I wanted to see if they put my ad in there today, the newspaper forgot to yesterday. "They pulled into the parking lot of the Super Quick in Grayson. The driver said "I just want to see if my ad is in the paper and then you can have it, I don't need it after that. There is a empty gas can in the back of the truck, you get some gas and I'll get us a newspaper."

The man put 50 cents worth of gas in the gas can, then set it carefully in the back of the truck and paid for it inside. The driver had already looked at the newspaper by the time the man had returned. The driver handed the man the newspaper and said "They didn't put my ad in here again today either, and I need some one to start first thing in the morning. Do you know anyone that needs a job?"

The man said "Yes, I do! That's why I wanted a newspaper." The driver said "I need help, the job is yours if you want it, I pay 9 dollars an hour to start out." The man said "I'll take it, I put the last 50 cents I had in that gas can back there." The driver said "That is not enough to get you to work in the morning. I'll follow you back to Super Quick and fill your car up. I can take it out of your first weeks pay check." The man said "Will you do me one more favor?"

The driver said  "What is it?" The man said "Stop at the church so I can thank God for your help and for the job." The man went inside the church again, he knelt down to pray. He said "Dear Father in Heaven, I wanted to stop back in your church and give thanks for how you have jumped in there and straightened me out, and to thank you for the job. Now I can go home and face my family again. Thank you, in Jesus Precious name, Amen." As he started back out the opening of the church, he stopped and said "Oh by the way Lord", like Jesus once said "I'll be back again."

Written by: Johnny Lee Hall 3-30-2000
A special thanks to Mr. Hall for use of his story, God Bless. You may view more of his stories @ Christian Short Stories.

Many of us experience or have experienced the same dilemma as in this story. We always wait and turn to Him last. As you listen to What A Friend We Have In Jesus, listen to the words carefully. We must always take it to the Lord in prayer! He will never forsake us as we have Him, we must always PUSH, Pray Until Something Happens ! ! ! 

As the web servant I felt that Ms. Hamilton's comments about the painting needed to be left on this page. Many times we think we need a new building to worship God. If the walls of this "old" church could talk there would be many stories about shed tears of happiness and gladness of saved souls. A building doesn't make a church; a church is made by believers in GOD almighty who worship Him whenever and wherever ! ! !

These are Ms. Hamilton's comments concerning the image used for this set design:
"The abandoned church in this print is in Millington Tennessee. It served God and his people faithfully, but time and the elements took a toll and the congregation built a new facility. Looking at it made me think of a parallel to the Christian's life in this earthly human building of flesh. When it has served God, and His people well, and life on earth has taken it's toll, we have a heavenly body, imperishable, eternal, waiting for us in heaven."