Yesterday, was our 41st Wedding Anniversary, and I just wont to say Thanks to my Lovely wife Leslie, for putting up with me all these years. I know it hasn't always been easy, but it has been rewarding for us both. We have a beautiful family, and are Blessed by them all being Christians. Thank You God for that. I am reminded of Proverbs 22:6 - Raise up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Thank you Father. In going along with that thought, I would like to share this story, that I received via email. It is called:
TAKE MY SON
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything from Picasso to Raphael.. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Viet Nam 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. 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 mr 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 the package. I know this isn't much.. I'm not really an 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.
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.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many gathered, excited over 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 shouted, We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one. But the auctioneer persisted. Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?
Another voice angrily, we didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, 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?
Give it to him for $10. Lets' see the masters.
The crowd became angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collection.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!
A man sitting on the second row shouted, NOW lets' 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 the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: THE SON, THE SON, WHO'LL TAKE THE SON?