THE PICTURE

My son gave me a picture one day about an old home place, “oh it is so beautiful�?he had heard me say.

He said I thought you would like to have it, and oh what a thrill that picture was to me. I began to look at the old house to which some people might say, “just tear it down, it’s not worth saving.�?/P>

“The old tin roof is all rusted, the siding needs painting, and the old rock and clay chimney well it’s all out dated. The old wash tub hanging on the back porch, oh no one is using them any more. The old barn behind the house, oh what an eye sore, and time is wasted on the well outside when we have running water inside.

The little pond that’s just rock throwing distance, well it’s just a waste too. Who’s got time to go fishing anymore. While I sat and looked at the picture my mind began to wonder back of how it must have been of what’s in that picture. Oh I can just imagine how it was around that old home place. I know that things must have been hard. I can hear the mom saying right now while she gets the old wood stove going, “everyone get up breakfast will be ready before you know it�?and dad was already in the barn getting the mule ready. He always like to get started along about dawn. The smell of the bacon, which came from the hogs that they raised. Them ole homemade biscuits would get anyone looking for another day. Everyone gathered around the old table with wooden benches, eager to eat breakfast, with some molasses, but they all knew there wasn’t a first reach until dad bowed his head to give thanks for our blessings. Why, he could pray a prayer that could touch you from within. I can hear him now, as he bowed his little gray head for the blessing.

“Dear Lord, a lot of folk would think it foolish with what I’m bout to say, but Lord I thank Thee for this food we are about to eat, for this old house that you have gave me, why, Lord the old mule, I know she is breaking, but I thank Thee for her. For Lord I thank Thee for the little shower You gave the other day, for it will make the crops grow, and things will go a few more days. Thank you Lord for my little Misses. With her tender heart, and precious hands she prepares all the meals. Thank you Lord for these little younguns of mine too Lord. Them little faces is as bright as the great sunshine. Dear Lord. I’ll close for now. You know me, I’ll be back around.�?/P>

While the dad went on out to the field, and the younguns went out to play, mom did the dishes. You could walk by the door or even the window, you could hear mom sing, and the younguns would all listen. She would sing hymn after hymn with the clearest voice you’d ever heard, while she did the other chores after the dishes. She always found time during the day to ask the Lord to bless dad in the field, and to save the lost from hell, and also to lead her in the right direction. Oh, the sun is beginning to go down, and the day is coming to an end. Mom would start calling them all in for supper. I can hear her say, “You younguns wash them hands, and wash behind them ears, mom wants you to smell good again”as she gave them a little grin. After supper dad would say, �?you younguns gather around�?and he would tell them what the Good Book had to say. Oh, he would tell them how God blessed the little children, and how Job never gave up, and even sometimes how life began. Oh, as he read the old Book, tears would run down his cheeks, and his face would just shine. Mom would soon say, “you younguns get off to bed.�?Why, she would even tuck them in. Oh, what a time that must have been.

Well I see farther into the picture now, those days are past and gone. The old house may still be standing, but mom and dad are now gone to be with Jesus, and many precious memories was left behind.

I wouldn’t take all of the world for that picture, and neither would you.

Written by: Rev. Bobby P. Jones

3^rd day of Jan.

2000