Matthew 25: 35-36
You Can't Always Judge A Book By The Cover
 
There once was a man seen begging,
 As people passed Him on the street where he sat
They wondered if in life he'd always been a failure,
Or why he was now in such dire straits.
 
They didn't know his circumstances
Or if his soul was bound for heaven or hell.
Most people judged by the way things looked,
But only God could really tell.
 
Turning back to take another look
Many people would then stop along their way,
Some would give him money for his next meal
They'd tell him "go now, and have a better day."
 
His eyes would sparkle with the love of Jesus
As He'd thank  them for their help,
Then with a tattered Bible in His trembling hands,
He'd say, "God bless you," while he wept.
 
He said a better day was coming soon
For his time on earth was almost through,
He'd spent all he had helping others in need,
Knowing God would provide for Him and be true.
 
His body was scarred and torn from many battles
He'd fought for our country in several wars,
Now all he asked was for his daily bread,
And a crown one day, which he hoped would have stars.
 
When people would stop along the way
As they passed Him each day in the street,
They'd help provide his daily bread
But with God's manna, their souls he'd then feed.
 
If they looked closer at his meager sign
They could see it read, "JESUS SAVES"
Then John 3: 16 was written in red,
With the words, "Jesus Christ is the only way."
 
The bread which he gave others
Was much greater than their money could buy,
He told of His heavenly Father's salvation and love,
Then spoke of mansions Jesus promised, in the skies.
 
Although he suffered much pain
And had no family that seemed to care,
He said he knew God was forever near,
Because His Word said He'd always be there.
 
From a pauper to a prince
In God's army, the man was soon heaven bound,
His was wealthy without earthly riches,
Because in God's book, His name was written down.
 
The moral of this little story is,
 We sometimes misjudge our sisters or brothers,
We must seek God's understanding and discernment
For you can't always judge a book by its cover.
 
Things are not always as they might seem
From what we may see or hear,
The circumstances of others could be ours,
Except for the grace of our Savior so dear.
 
Jo Ann Kelly ©  2008, 2005.
J. P.'s Inspirations
http://www.my.homewithgod.com/jpinspirations/
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits intact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.
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