Suppose I got a phone call . . .

The phone rings. I pick it up.

A voice I have cannot mistake says, "Hi, Jim. This is Jesus Christ. I'll be passing through Jacksonville in tomorrow, and I'd like to drop by and say hello."

And I say, "Gosh, yes, Lord! I'd be delighted. Come right on by. Stay as long as you can."

But when I hang up, I think, Oh, my! How much I need to do to get ready! The Lord is coming, and look! This place is a mess!

So I run outside and begin raking up the pine needles on the lawn. After all, a good first impression counts for a lot.

I'm there, working away, when this guy walks by on the street. He watches me for a while with an amused expression and finally says, "You really look frantic. What's going on?"

I say, "Look, a really important visitor is coming and I've got to get this place looking good."

So he says, "Well, if it's really important, I haven't got anything else to do. Let me help you." He sees my dubious expression and says, "Really, I'm not looking for a job or a handout. You look frantic, and I'll be glad to help. Let me finish raking up the pine needles, and you go ahead and work on something else."

So I hand him the rake and I rush inside to begin cleaning and dusting and vacuuming and all the other things I need to do.

In a few hours, he comes in and says, "The lawn's done! Can I help you with something else?"

So I look, and the lawn is great! So I say, "Thanks! I really appreciate it. Could you help me with this vacuuming, while I finish the dusting?"

So he vacuums while I dust, and he washes the dishes while I get the laundry done, and he volunteers to scrub the toilet while I mop the kitchen floor.

As darkness falls, I look around and the house is spotless. I turn to my helper and say, "Really, truly--thanks. I don't know what I would have done without your help. Though you may not believe it, Jesus is coming here tomorrow, and I really think He will be satisfied with what we have done."

And he said, "You're very welcome, Jim. I know I'll be satisfied with it. After all, we did it together."