Page 5 - Good News February 2009 paper

s you read this think about The salesman knelt on the floor YOU ARE THE APPLE OF HIS EYE. EVEN THOUGH WE, TOO,
what you would have done! with her, gathered up the apples, HAVE BEEN BRUISED BY A FALL. HE STOPPED WHAT HE WAS
AA few years ago a group of put them back on the table and DOING AND PICKED YOU AND ME UP ON A HILL CALLED
salesmen went to a Regional helped organize her display. As he CALVARY AND PAID IN FULL FOR OUR DAMAGED FRUIT!
Sales Convention in Chicago. did this, he noticed that many of
They had assured their wives that them had become battered and
they would be home in plenty of bruised. These he set aside in
time for the Friday night's dinner. another basket.
In their rush to board the plane - When he had finished, he pulled
with tickets and briefcases - one out his wallet and said to the girl,
of these salesmen inadvertently "Here, please take this $40 for the
kicked over a table which held a damage we did. Are you okay?"
display of apples. She nodded through her tears. He
Apples flew everywhere! Without continued, "I hope we didn't spoil
stopping or looking back, they all your day too much."
managed to reach the plane in As the salesman started to walk
time for their nearly missed away, the bewildered blind girl
boarding. called out to him, "Mister...." He
ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took paused and turned to look back
a deep breath, got in touch with into those blind eyes. She con-
his feelings, and experienced a tinued, "Are you Jesus?"
twinge of compassion for the girl He stopped in mid-stride, and
whose apple-stand had been wondered. Then slowly he made
overturned. He told his buddies to his way to catch the later flight
go on without him, waved good- with that question burning and
bye, told one of them to call his bouncing in his soul: "Are you
wife when they arrived at their Jesus?"
home destination and explain his Do people mistake you for Jesus?
taking a later flight. Then he That's our destiny, is it not? To be
returned to the terminal where the so much like Jesus that people
apples were scattered all over the cannot tell the difference as we
terminal floor. He was glad he did! live and interact with a world that
The 16 year old girl was totally is blind to His love, life and grace.
blind! She was softly crying, tears If we claim to know Him, we
running down her cheeks in should live, walk and act as He
frustration, and at the same time would. Knowing Him is more than
helplessly groping for her spilled simply quoting Scripture and
produce as the crowd swirled going to church. It's actually
about her, no one stopping and no living the Word as life unfolds day
one to care for her plight. to day.