The story is told about an upscale, conservative church during the heyday of the hippies. One Sunday morning, about halfway through the service, a young man entered the church, barefoot and wearing a tie-dye T-shirt. Because the church was crowded, the visitor couldn’t find a seat and the ushers had already seated themselves. Finally, the young man walked straight down the main aisle and sat on the floor in front of the preacher. As one of the ushers made his way to the young man, an uncomfortable silence settled over the church. Most people thought the usher would ask the young man to leave – but much to everyone’s surprise, the elderly man sat down beside him. No one ever forgot this simple act of kindness.
Today in the Word, Dec. 2003, p.21
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