THE HIPPIE
The normal Sunday crowd was in attendance at the First Independent Church in the sleepy town of Rattlers Gulch. Not named because of rattkesnakes but for the frieght trains which rattle and rumble their way through the town at all hours. The church, a white frame building with a steeple and gravel parking lot, wasn't imposing and, at first glance, appeared warm and welcoming. The message was to be delivered by the pastor, a middle-aged man in his late fourties with a round belly and ruddy complexion. The pious parishioners all filed in to take their positions, first ones in the more mature ladies and gentlemen who always arrived early before all the good seats near the back were taken, followed by young marrieds, families with young children and teenagers who really spent most of their time scrolling on their phones.
Sunday sermons were full of wonder. The teens wonder when the next party at the lake will be. The more mature ones wonder what the Sunday special will be at Miss Becky's diner. The rest of the congregation wonders when the service will be over. Pastor McElroy wonders if anyone actually listens to his teachings
Pastor McElroy starts with his text : "2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things sre passed away; behold all things are become new"
"Jesus is the way to a new life. The way to heaven. Dont you see one day he's coming to bring us to heaven to be with him." At this point, the hippie walked into the church. He was in his early thirties sandals, robe chestnut brown shoulder length hair, and dark brown eyes that seemed to see everything. He walked up to the front pew and took a seat. Sister Bitterun, the matriarch of the church, muttered its gettin' so Pastor McElroy will let anybody walk on here."Taking a seat on one of the front pews, he smiled and nodded at the pastor, trying so hard to get his message heard.
"God doesn’t send people to hell they choose to go there, and the sad part is they dont even know they're choosing to go." Joesph Simms, undoubtedly, the biggest sinner in attendance is paying rapt attention. Pastor McElroy continues. "The good news is you can choose not to go." God has given us the gift of eternal life in heaven through his son Jesus. All you have to do is accept it." Joe squirms in his seat he knows the pastor is right, and it seems as if he is speaking directly to him.
Pastor McElroy says, "Please dont walk out of this church without accepting Jesus. Please accept the gift of eternal life while it's still called today. Every eye closed every head bowed if you know deep down you're readybto accept the free gift of salvation just raise your hand that's all it takes. Thank you. i see that hand, and another hand goes up. Then Joesoh Simms raises his hand." Pastor McElroy is a bit shocked at Joseph Simms' hand, but he says if you raised your hand, come forward now. Don't be self conscious just come forward. Those whose hands were raised come forward, including Joseph Simms. The hippie smiles his eyes, gentle and kind as he watches the procession. Pastor McElroy leads the groip in what is commonly known as "The Sinners Prayer. At the conclusion, as the congregation files out, Lily McElroy 6vyesr old pastors daughter runs up to the hippie. "Why did you make it rain yesterday, Jesus?" She asks in childhood innocence. The hippie puts both his hands on her shoulders and smiles saying "The trees needed a drink of water."
Suddenly next to the church yhe graveysrd stsrts to shakeband geavds burst open the dead in Christ rise a trumpet sounds snd Pastor McElroy the new convetts several of the church members and Lily McElroy are gone in a flash in a twinkling of an eye, leaving the rest of the congregation to .........Wonder.
The End
