The Man from Little Junction

Big Fancy Church… Here I Come” The deacon spoke the words that Ol’ Jeb had waited for all his life…. "Will you speak at the service tonight Jeb?" Jeb's heart was skipping beats, and he didn't hesitate to say, “Yesiree… why, I'd be honored.” About middle week Big Ben came back through Little Junction and Jeb seen him from the porch. He walked over to Ben and asked him if he could hitch a ride into town. He said, "I'ma goin’ inta town, an’ I'm gonna preach at that there big fancy church they built." Big Ben replied, “Well git on in Jeb, I'm happy to oblige ya." They got into town and Jeb was mighty thankful for the ride. Ben couldn’t help but feel excited for Ol’ Jeb. He was a little bit worried though, and felt kind of sorry for him too. That’s when he told him, “Why don’t you jist stay with me an’ tha Miz’ Jeb?” You see… the next day was Sunday and he knew Ol’ Jeb needed a hot meal, and a good nights rest. Jeb figured he’d take him up on he’s offer, but made it clear; he'd work for the room and board. He was walking down the street and noticed Miz Betty still had her second hand store. He walked up to the door and turned the knob but it was locked. Just as Jeb was turning to leave, Miz Betty spotted him at the door and she let out a holler that could of’ been heard all over town! She said, “Jeb, git yursef in here and let me take a look atcha!” Miz Betty was a good Christian woman, and she was just beside herself, that Jeb wanted to go preach at that church. Why, that just happened to be her church. Miz Betty looked over at Jeb and said, "We gotta fix you up fer tomarra. You cain't go in there lookin' like that now Jeb.” She rustled around there and went through everything she had, until she came to a plaid jacket and a pair of britches to match. The britches were a little bit big, so she hunted some more and ran across a pair of 'spenders. She even found a pair of shoes the banker had donated to her, and they were a perfect fit. Well before she knew it Ol’ Jeb looked like a different man! Miz Betty seemed to be just a ‘tiny bit’ proud of herself! Jeb thanked her and dug down in his pocket and pulled out that change, and that five-dollar bill - that Big Ben had paid him that day. He said, "Miz Betty this is all I got, but I sure do hope it'll cover tha cost of these here clothes you fixed up fer me, an’ of course, this mighty fine haircut.” Miz Betty looked sternly at Jeb, and she said, “Put that money back in yur pocket. I ain’t about ta take a penny fer hepin' a man that’s tryin’ he’s hardest to please tha Lord!” Jeb thanked her again, and figured he best be heading on over to Big Bens place. He didn't want Ben's Miz’ getting upset with him, especially if he was late for supper. Morning sure did come early! Jeb got dressed up in he’s duds (thanks to Miz Betty) and he was off to church. He'd only seen the inside of it through a winda’ one time. He couldn't recollect a time that Big Ben had ever been to church. Then he heard Big Ben call out to him, “Hold on now Jeb! I'm goin' with ya this time”. They talked a little bit on the way to the church, and Ol’ Jeb was just tickled to death that Big Ben was going with him! He just knew that this would be a night he'd never forget! They found a place to sit and after the singing the preacher made his announcement…. “Folks, it gives me great pleasure, to invite our neighbor, an’ our friend Jeb up here to tha platform, ta bring ya’ll the word tonight." Jeb thought, “After all this preparin’- wul’d tha folk's laugh at me, or maybe even hiss at me?” As Jeb made his way to the platform, people snickered and pointed at him, as if he was somebody they didn't even know. Jeb started to feel as if maybe he just didn’t belong, after all. He already felt like he wasn’t good enough. He didn't have on a fancy suit and drive a fancy car, but he knew he had a calling on his life. God had trusted him to speak to folks and if God trusted him, then really that’s all that was important! So what (?) if all he had was an’ ole shack and a couple of coon dogs! He had the Lord and nothing could replace that! Nonetheless, Jeb was a determined man, and he’d made up his mind! He would not let anything or anybody ruin this night. They could laugh and snicker all they wanted to. He was there to preach the word of God, and that was that! He walked up on that platform and thanked the pastor for his kindness and took his place behind the pulpit. He stood tall and proud and began telling them a little story about the community of "Little Junction”. He wasn’t sure how much time he had been allowed to give his message, so he didn’t waste any time and opened his Bible to 1 Corinthians Chapter 13, and began to teach on the meaning of love…. After speaking for a few minutes he noticed that ‘nobody’ was snickering. They were actually listening to him. By the end of his message, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Jeb gave an invitation and ask if anyone needed prayer, and people began making their way to the front. Just about the whole church went down to the altar that night, and they wanted to ask Jeb to forgive them; for the way they had treated him. Some told him that was the best message they had ever heard. Jeb's eyes filled with tears as he looked through the crowd, and there was Big Ben with his hands folded in prayer. Jeb knew he was asking ‘Jesus’ to come into his heart. At that moment, all the insults and the snickering were all worth it! You see, Jeb had a burden for the lost, and he would take the punches, because that meant somebody was going to let Jesus be their friend. The service came to a close and Jeb had never recalled so many folks giving him a hug and shaking his hand before. ‘He’ truly felt more blessed than anyone else. To see someone accept the Lord as they're Saviour meant everything to Jeb. Big Ben seemed like a different person, as they went back to the house that night. He was joking with Jeb, and that ugly demeanor Ben carried around with him most of the time, was gone! “What a night for Ol' Jeb and Big Ben.” “Time fer bed Buster. We got us a lot of prayin’ ta do tonight”. Jeb wanted to make sure he mentioned everybody from Little Junction and especially Miz Betty in his prayers. He told Ole Buster to bow his head an’ he did. Jeb had taught him how to pray when he was just a pup, an’ somehow it just stuck in his head. Ole Buster acted just like he knew what he was doing too. “Oh my goodness Miz Betty… there it is!” Just up ahead, down in the valley they could see the water! They were just high enough up on the road to be able to see it. Yesiree…there it was! They had just found Miller’s Pond! They made their way past all the brush and found a path that led them straight to the water. There just happened to be an old log layin’ there, so they sat down and just took in all the beauty that surrounded them. Sweet dreams would be made a plenty that night!