JulieMelton visit me at www.heart-and-music.com Keep smiling! >From: "Julie M." <[log in to unmask]> >To: <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Daddy's empty chair >Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 19:48:04 -0600 > >Nature > ~ DADDY'S EMPTY CHAIR ~ > A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her >father. > When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head >propped up on two pillows. > An empty chair sat beside his bed. > The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. > "I guess you were expecting me, he said. > 'No, who are you?" said the father. > The minister told him his name > and then remarked, > "I saw the empty chair > and I figured > you knew I was going to show up," > "Oh yeah, the chair," > said the bedridden man. > "Would you mind closing the door?" > Puzzled, > the minister shut the door. > "I have never told anyone this, > not even my daughter," > said the man. > "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. > At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, > but it went right over my head." > I abandoned any attempt at prayer," > the old man continued, > "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, > "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter > of having a conversation with Jesus. > Here is what I suggest." > "Sit down in a chair; > place an empty chair in front of you, > and in faith see Jesus on the chair. > It's not spooky because he promised, > 'I will be with you always'. > "Then just speak to him in the same way > you're doing with me right now." > "So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it > a couple of hours every day. > I'm careful though > If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, > she'd either have a nervous breakdown > or send me off to the funny farm." > The minister was deeply moved by the story > and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. > Then he prayed with him, > anointed him with oil, > and returned to the church. > Two nights later the daughter called > to tell the minister that her daddy had died that > afternoon. > Did he die in peace?" he asked. > Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, > he called me over to his bedside, > told me he loved me > and kissed me on the cheek. > When I got back from the store an hour later, > I found him dead. > But there was something strange about his death. > Apparently, just before Daddy died, > he leaned over and rested his head > on the chair beside the bed. > What do you make of that?" > The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, > "I wish we could all go like that." > Just send this to four people or more, > and do not break this, please. > Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. > I asked God for water, > * > He gave me an ocean. > * > I asked God for a flower, > * > He gave me a garden. > * > I asked God for a friend, > He gave me YOU... > If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. > Happy moments, praise God. > Difficult moments, seek God. > Quiet moments, worship God. > Painful moments, trust God. > Every moment, thank God. > >Julie Melton >Visit me at >http://www.heart-and-music.com >Keep Smiling! >