The Cowboy and the "Church"
One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just
before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were
spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were all very
worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn out old hat and an equally
worn out bible.
The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city.
It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen.
The people of the congregation were all dressed with very expensive clothes
and accessories. As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him.
No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all visibly appalled at
his appearance and did not make any attempt to hide it.
The preacher gave a long sermon about hellfire and brimstone and a stern
lecture on how much money the church needed to do God's work.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and
asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again,
have a talk with God and ask him what He thinks would be appropriate attire
for worship in this church."
The old cowboy assured the preacher he would. The next Sunday, he showed
back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots, and
hat. Once again he was completely shunned and ignored. And once again the
preacher approached the old man and said rather sternly, "I thought I asked
you to speak to God before you came back to our church?"
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for
worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that He didn't have a clue what I should wear to
this here church. He says He's never been here before....."