Recently, as I was about to enter a church to attend a funeral, a young man walked out.

We shook hands and wished each other a Merry Christmas.

“I remember you, Mr. Keller. Ten years ago, when I was at a drug treatment center, you and your wife came to speak. I just wanted to say that I’ve been drug-free since then.”

“I’ll never forget the illustration you gave us with the $100 bill.” (This is something I’ve used over the years.)

Then he proceeded to say, “When you held up that crisp $100 bill and asked if anyone wanted it, we all raised our hands. You then crumbled it in your hands and asked, ‘Would you still want it in this condition?’ “We all said yes.”

“You then threw it on the floor, stepped on it and asked, ‘If it had been raining and my shoes were muddy, would you take this dirty, crumbled, wet and muddy $100 bill?’

“Again, we all said yes.”

“You asked, ‘Why would you still want it?’ Someone answered, ‘Because it didn’t lose its value.’

“‘That’s right,’ and you continued, ‘Most of you have abused yourself and were abused by others, neglected in some cases, stepped on by others and forgotten by friends and loved ones, but to God you did not lose your value to Him. Never forget that God loves you, wants to use you for His glory and will never leave or forsake you.’”

That’s His promise to all of us for the rest of our lives if we surrender to His Will.

Needless to say, I was encouraged by a young man I didn’t remember, but thank God he didn’t forget the illustration that changed his life.

 

If you have any questions or comments, please write Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-542-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.