In Silver Linings, Terry Lees shares a poem about a man named Ben and his way of praying.

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

Terry recounts that life is more than a journey, it’s an adventure, an epic one, much like the turbulent thrilling quests of Indiana Jones! And there are journeys within the journey. The road is not always smooth.

Terry Lees encourages us to check-in with Jesus today.

Listen to the episode below, or continue on to read the transcript.

Episode Transcript:

A Priest passing through his church in the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar to see who come to pray. Just then the back door opened, and a man came down the aisle, The Priest frowned as he saw the man hadn’t shaved in a while. His shirt was torn and shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed, The man knelt down and bowed his head, then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed at precisely noon, the Priest saw this man, Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch box in his lap. Well, the Priest’s suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear.

He decided to stop and ask the man, ‘What are you doing here?’ The old man said he was a factory worker, and lunch was half an hour Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. I stay only a moment Because the factory’s far away; As I kneel here talking to the Lord, this is kinda what I say:

‘I just came by to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, Since we found each other’s friendship and you took away my sin. Don’t know much of how to pray, But I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is Ben, just checking-in today.’

The Priest was feeling foolish, Told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome to pray there anytime. ‘It’s time to go, and thanks,’ Ben said as he hurried to the door. Then the Priest knelt there at the altar, which he’d never done before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, as he met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed down his cheeks, He repeated old Ben’s prayer:

‘I just came by to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, Since we found each other’s friendship and you took away my sin. Don’t know much of how to pray, But I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is me, just checking-in today.’

Past noon one day, the Priest noticed That old Ben hadn’t come. As more days passed and still no Ben, He began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he’d given them a thrill.

The week that Ben was with them, Brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joy contagious. Changed people were his reward. The head nurse couldn’t understand Why Ben could be so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The Priest stayed by his bed, He voiced the nurse’s concern: No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile; ‘The nurse is wrong, she couldn’t know, He’s been here all the while.’ Every day at noon He comes here, A dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down and takes my hand, leans over and says to me:

I just came to tell you, Ben, how happy I have been, Since we found this friendship, And I took away your sin. I think about you always, And I love to hear you pray, And so, Ben, this is Jesus, Just checking in today.’

If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

In the Bible, Jesus teaches: “A new commandment I give you that you love one another as I have loved you.” Be there for others – just as Jesus was for Ben, sitting by their side.

No doubt you’ve heard the saying, ‘Life is a journey.’ More than a journey, it’s an adventure, an epic one, much like the turbulent thrill quests of Indiana Jones! And there are journeys within the journey.

The road is not always smooth. We encounter many challenges testing our courage, strengths, weaknesses, and faith. We stumble, we fall, encountering countless obstacles. And yet there are special moments which make everything worthwhile.

Paths diverge, taking us in different directions; paths converge bringing us together. Yet, for each of us, the journey will be different, with different meanings.

Life is like the changing seasons—you cannot change the seasons, but you can change yourself.

You can get stronger; you can get wiser; you can get better. The seasons won’t change, but you can. May God hold you in the palm of His hand, and Angels watch over you.

So, friend, this is me … “Just Checking in Today.”

Look for the silver lining.

This is Terry Lees

[Music: Try a Little Kindness – Glen Campbell]