The small child listened quietly as the Preacher began to give his last altar call.
He watched as no one moved; noone seemed to need a prayer at all.
Noone seemed to need forgiveness for their sin.
Everyone seemed pleased with the way their lives had been.
The child looked all around him & perhaps didn't understand.
But, he believed in Jesus, and down the aisle he ran!

He reached the front, fell to his knees, and then began to pray.
As the preacher knelt by his side, he heard the small child say,
"Jesus, I know you know who I am.
But, in case you've forgotten, my name is Sam.
I'm the one who will not play with many of my friends
just because their favorite toys, to me they will not lend.
I'm the one, dear Jesus, who always wants his way;
and, I won't always listen to what others have to say.

And, I'm the one that never ever wants to do his part,
even when I know what's right way deep down in my heart.
And, I guess, Jesus, I'm the one that leaves things all half done.
And, once I even stomped my foot when that other person won.
And, I know you saw what I did just the other day.
I got awful mad and pushed & shoved that boy out of my way.
But, Jesus, I want you to know
I'm sorry for the bad things I do.
And, I want to try to do better.
Can you love me and forgive me too?
I would like to be like these people here today,
for they must never do anything wrong or
I guess you'd be hearing them say,
'Forgive me too, Jesus, and help me to be
more like you,' --- instead of more like me!"

The Preacher stood up slowly, with tears in both his eyes;
the Congregation all had heard, and they too had begun to cry.
For this small humble child had taught each of them today,
just what Faith was all about and just how they should pray.
Each one of them was made aware how "closed" they had become,
when down the aisle, with open heart, they saw this small child run.

  Art of Danny Hahlbohm
used with permission

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