Great post. A post is never too long when it has a good message.

I have been reluctant to post 'long' posts after a longtime Tndeer member posted something questioning such...

However, I'm gonna do it anyway - read if you wish.

...So, William is a man I used to know.

He is a man that most discount, when they see him and even when they know him. He's a simple man...with simple thoughts. Truth be told, he - to most people - has never had an intelligent thought or action.

He walks around holding a book in his hand with a smile on his face all the time. I say he walks...he does even this with difficulty...as he has braces on both legs. Braces that wear upon his flesh day after day...callouses build, but he continually has open sores that he must tend to - or, more precisely, have someone else to.

Nevertheless, he smiles.

All the time.

Happy to be alive and happy that he knows Jesus - he will tell you that...if you'd listen.

He buys candy.

Not for him though. His diabetes makes sure that he cannot take a bite of the sugar.

He buys it 'for the children'. For the children where he worships God...a God that he hasn't seen and for which there is no proof...other than William's faith - which is complete.

He gives that candy out freely that he bought to those children. The money he bought it with comes from a check he gets each month that somebody else helps him cash....they 'let' him have a little of it and the rest they put away for 'later'.

William has no concept of money; no concept of later; only what is now.

And his faith...in Him.

At any rate, one day some parents 'of money' questioned his motives about the candy and forbade their children from accepting the candy he offered.

Said he 'might' be doctoring it up or something....soon fewer and fewer children of those believers accepted his gift, the one thing he could offer and the one thing that most felt he could do.

Soon, those big throngs of children of believers who used to mob William dwindled down to only one. Heck, can't be too careful - right?

The one took the candy...and ate it...in front of all the others....to no ill effect. Surely those not eating it must have wanted to, but of course....one cannot be too careful...

Faith, apparently knows some bounds - at least to some people.

Now, I've said William 'is'.

To us, William has been dead over twenty years.

However, there is no doubt in my mind that he lives...with Jesus - the one his unfailing faith led him to. I heard him tell the man I call 'Dad' - although he is not my birth father..."I loves my Jesus" once....

To us William was a poor black mentally and physically handicapped man.

I'm confident that he's none of that now.

By the way...a few of you know my son's name.....others wonder what it is?