A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising
the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he
was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug
on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.
Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies." "Well," said the
farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come
from fine parents and cost a good deal of money." The boy dropped his head
for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of
change and held it up to the farmer.
"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?" "Sure," said
the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle,"Here,Dolly!" he called. Out
from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls
of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes
danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy
noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly
another little ball appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it
slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began
hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.
"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer
knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He
will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs
would."With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down,
and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a
steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a
specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well
myself, and he will need someone who understands." The world is full of
people who need someone who understands. Jesus said, " if you are ashamed of
me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father." Not
ashamed? Pass this on . . . only if you mean it. Yes, I do Love God. He is
my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and
everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am nothing but with
Him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Phil 4:13
This is the simplest test if you Love God, and are not ashamed of all the
marvelous things he has done for you.