TAKE MY SON....

[Shizamus]

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had
everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.

They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the
Vietnam conflict broke out, The son went to war. He was very courageous and
Died in battle while rescuing another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A
young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said,
"Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his
life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a
bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about
you, and your love for art."

The young man held out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really
a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the
young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the
personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes
that his own eyes welled up with tears.

He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no
sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to
his home he took them to see the
portrait of his son before he showed them any of the
other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a
great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited
over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one
for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his
gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid
for this picture?"

There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We
want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for
this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?"

Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came
to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?
"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime
gardener of the man and his son.

"I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could
afford.

"We have $10, who will bid $20?" announced the
auctioneer.

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."

"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the
picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy
investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, Sold for $10.00.

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's
get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the
auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a
secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation
until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever
bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the
paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the
auctioneer, His message today is:
"The son, the son, who'll take the son?"

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

God Bless

[SouthernMoss]

Thanks, Shiz, for reminding us of the importance of the Son.

Amen, Brother!

[riderbob]

Thanks Shiz

This story makes the rounds in church talks and every time it makes me bawl like a baby.
Had to explain myself to a customer but he understood.

Thanks again

Rider

[bigboom338]

Great story Shiz,and man is there alot of truth to that message

[reedbuster]

Thanks brother, I needed that!

I would accept the son without all the richmans trappings...if only he would accept me...and he does...he suffered his cross for us all.

Gunguy