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Christian Short Stories
Back to God's Future Charles Robey specializes in freelance Christian fiction writings, with a strong evangelistic message. He feels that in today’s hectic stressful environment, God's peace continues to ring true and is freely available to all. He may be contacted by email: ccrobey@charter.net.
"When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:11-13) "Mom, Mom, when will this TV test pattern go away? I've been staring at it now, going on an hour, and I am bored to death." Well, Mom assured me that the pattern always went away at 10:00 o'clock, just before the "Queen For A Day show”. "But Mom,” I continued. “I guess I can endure that old ugly TV test pattern, but what about Papaw. As you know, each night when the TV signs off with the National Anthem and the waving of the flag, Papaw always stands at attention and salutes." “Yes, I know George, someday you will understand where Papaw's loyalties lie." Well, Mom's answers were alright with me, I guess. Only I was wishing for something more exciting on TV such as the "Green Hornet" or maybe the "Hop Along Cassidy Hour". For you see, the Cassidy program was still giving out those secret decoder rings if you mailed two "borax" box tops, and I already had one saved. Anyway, I thought I’d just call my friend Phil and see if he would like to play some marbles. Phil didn’t know it but I had just gotten a new "Steely" that would easily knock his marbles out of a three foot ring. Phil was more than happy to oblige me that day. I went outside and smoothed off the clay marble arena, as we called it, to get ready. "Hi Phil, good to see you. What's shaking, bacon?” I asked. “By the way, Phil , where were you last Sunday morning? I called your house all morning and the only answer I got was the neighbor who is on your phone party line.” "Dad made me go to church with the family,” Phil replied. “And you know something, I'm glad I did cause I got saved. Jesus took away all my sins away." "Saved from what? And what sins are you talking about? I didn't know you had any sins, you've always been so truthful. And, savings problems! Why you have always been so thrifty with your money.” "You don't understand, George, that’s not it at all. I accepted Jesus into my life. All my sins are forgiven and if I were to die now, I'd go straight to Heaven." "Well, it's good to hear that, but I'm still young. I figure I've got at least 50 or 60 years left and plenty of time to get ready for your heaven." Well, I don't know what I said that day that upset Phil so, but I had never seen him cry before. Phil just responded by saying he was going to pray for me until I changed my mind and walked off. "Mom, I just experienced the strangerest thing. You know my best friend, Phil?” Sure George, what's wrong? I can just read your face. Something bad is bothering you.” "Yes, Phil just told me had had gotten saved, and would be going to Heaven when he died. What does being saved mean anyhow Mom?" "I seem to remember something similar a number of years ago when your Papaw use to take me to Sunday School down at the Independent Tabernacle. However, I never put much thought into the subject. You see, that's probably just a cop-out anyway." "Okay, Mom, if you say so, I'll won’t worry any more." Well, time has surely gone by fast. It's like Papaw always said, "time flies because people are always trying to kill it." Now, here I am, 50 years older, getting ready for my retirement. I must get busy with my retirement sermon. Oh, I almost forgot. Just chalk it up to old age. Not only did Phil's prayers work that day but they also rubbed off on Mom. For we both got gloriously saved that year. And, I can't wait to see Mom. She has been in Heaven, some 20 years. Now, back to my final sermon. What shall I say, Lord? Just give me a big hint. I know, I'll just give a summary of my life history, before and after Christ. I'll just end with an invitation for the others to follow in my footsteps. Thank you, Lord, for that suggestion. Here I am, my last official time behind the pulpit. Just let me search over our great congregation. Just plain old "home town folks" here, but folks who love the Lord, as I do. Wait, is that Phil, down there on the front row? And, who are all those folks with him? "Phil, come here a minute,” I shout as I walk down the platform steps. After a big hug, that seemed to last forever, we just reminisced for a moment. You see, I have not seen Phil going on 40 years. And my, has his family grown. "George!” Phil exclaimed, as he begin to shout out over his big hearing aids. “I would not have missed this big event for all the tea in China." As I started walking back towards the platform, I felt Phil place something in my hands. It was my old "Steely", the one with which I used to win all those marbles from Phil. At that time, I just couldn't hold back the tears, tears of joy that is. And I just shouted “Hallelujah” and “Amen” all the way back to my seat. For you see, we serve a wonderful God, a God who loves us, even though He knows us. What friend can we say that about, very few I am sad to report. As I went to be seated, that proverbial light bulb went off in my head and I started quoting Mom’s favorite Bible verse. "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5) Oops, I should not have given that verse out loud. None the less, these folks are use to me by now. As you see, I'm known around here as the "shouting preacher". What's that? Why it's the choir singing my favorite hymn? Church must be starting. I'll just sit back and enjoy it. The love of God is greater far (© 2012 Charles C. Robey – All rights reserved. Written material may not be duplicated without permission.)
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