"No place to go. No where to turn. Why has life done me this way? Always hungry always cold or hot. No place to sleep. No place to stay dry. No hope for a change. "All these thoughts raced through Jerome's mind as the cold wind whipped icy rain against his chapped face. Facing another homeless winter was grinding on his spirit. He finally found a dark corner in the alley that provided a wind break and shelter from the rain. He huddled there in the cold dark night shivering himself to sleep.
"Hey buddy! You mind if I get in out of the rain?" Jerome mumbled, "Whatever." The shadowy figure moved into the corner opposite Jerome. "Man it sure is rough out here tonight." Said the stranger. "Hey man, I ain't lookin' for no conversation so just can it." Jerome blurted out. Quickly the night was filled once again with only the sound of the rain and wind.
"Thanks Man for letten' me spend the night." Spoke the stranger as he stepped out of the corner into the morning light. "Forget it." Jerome responded. "Whata ya say we head over to the Mission for some hot coffee?' Jerome nodded and off they went.
"Good morning my name is Dave. Some call me Brother Dave. I hold Morning services here at the Chapel. Won't you join us.?" "What fur? You gonna give us some o' that Bible mumbo jumbo?" Jermone sarcastically retorted. "Well I suppose you could look at it like that, but I hope it will be more than that. Besides it will give you a chance to warm up." Dave encouraged. Jerome hesitated a minute "I'll come in and get warm but I ain't listenin' to your preachin', so don't waste your breath on account o' me.' "Fair enough." Dave pushed open the door for them to enter.
After all were seated and some semblance of order filled the room. Dave stood up, "Please turn in your song book to number 145. Since it's Christmas time let's start our service with, Hark the Hearld Angels Sing." The room filled with noise as the group began to sing. It started out kinda rough but soon the voices came into harmony. Jerome's eyes filled with tears as his mind drifted back to his childhood. He remembered standing beside his Momma in the old church at Christmas. "Oh Momma what I wouldn't do to be with you right now. God I'm so lonely!" Jerome was jerked back to reality as Bro. Dave ask all to be seated.
"I know you folks are having it bad right now and there isn't a whole lot I can do to change your circumstances but I would like to share with you from God's Word. I pray you will find hope and comfort in what He has to say. Let me read for you from John 10:9-10 "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." Lord open each heart to hear your voice today and grasp the depth of your Word." Brother Dave prayed as he closed his Bible.
"Just as each of you had to come through the door to come into the Chapel this morning we must each one come to God through the door He has provided. That door is Jesus. Many in our society today teach there are many ways to God but according to His own Word He says that is not true. In John 14:6 " Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." In the book of Acts chapter 4 verse 12 He declares, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Also in 1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
"When you come to Him, He promises to forgive you of your sin and to take you as His child. For some in this room you have experienced the protection and love of your human parents. Well Jesus is greater than these His power is unlimited and His love unconditional. Won't you come to the Father through Jesus the Son today?" Brother Dave invited.
As Brother Dave spoke these words Jerome suddenly realized that he had never gone through that door. The one place he could find the assurance and hope he had been seeking in drugs and alcohol. "How could I have missed this?" He pondered to himself. With tears in his eyes Jerome stepped into the aisle and went forward to ask Christ into his heart.
After the service was over Brother Dave visited with Jerome. "Tell me how old are you?" "Twenty five." Answered Jerome. "Do you have any relatives that live here in town?" "No. My mother lives 60 miles west of here in a little farm town." "How long has it been since you've seen her?" "It's six years since I left home." "Why don't we give her a call and see if she would like to see you again." Jerome hesitated, "I don't know. I sure gave her a hard time before leavin', with my drinkin' an' all." "Why don't you let her decide that?" Dave encouraged. "Come on we'll go to my office and give her a call."
Brring. Brrring. Click. "Hello." In a now shaky voice Jerome responded, "Hello Momma." "Jerome is that you?" "Yes, Momma it's me." "Oh, Thank God! I have been so worried about you." "Momma I'm here in the city and I just gave my life to Jesus, Momma could I come home and go to church with you again?" "Oh, yes my child you come on home right now. There's always been a place for you here."
Just as Jerome's mother had been waiting for him to come back home so has Jesus been waiting for you. He's just a prayer away. Won't you give Him a call.
It is our prayer that you should know the security of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ this Christmas.
All Scripture from the King James Bible.
Your comments are welcomed.