The Empty Chair

THE EMPTY CHAIR

Submitted by: Anonymous

A man's daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with
Her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed
With his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside
His bed. The pastor assumed that the old fellow had been informed of
His visit.

"I guess you were expecting me," he said.

"No, who are you?"

"I'm the new associate at your local church," the pastor
Replied. "When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going
To show up."

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind
Closing the door?"

Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.

"I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter, but all of my
Life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the
Pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head,"
Said the man.

"I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until
One day about four years ago my best friend said: 'Joe, prayer is
Just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's
What I suggest: Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front
Of you, and, in faith, see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky,
Because He promised, "I'll be with you always." Then, just speak to
Him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now.' So,
I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours
Every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an
Empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to
The funny farm."

The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy
To continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to
The church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her
Daddy had died that afternoon.

"Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked.

"Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock, he called me over to
His bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the
Cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him
Dead. But there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange -
Kind a weird. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and
Rested his head on a chair beside the bed."