There was a man who was born in Texas. He was a native Texan. And everyone knows that to be a Texan you have to be born here. This man loved everything about Texas. He loved the snow of the Panhandle. He loved the rolling hills and waterfalls of the Hill Country. He loved the pine trees of East Texas. He loved the desert and mountains of El Paso. He loved the Gulf of Mexico by Galveston. He even loved the sand storms of West Texas. He loved the Alamo. He loved Blue Bell Ice Cream. He loved the Mexican music, the Zydeco music, the Country music, the Rock n’ Roll, the Gospel music and even the musicals. He loved the Cowboys, the Texans, the Rockets, the Spurs. He loved the Longhorns and the Aggies. He loved the work ethic of Texans. He loved how Texans love their state. Oh and he loved those blue bonnets!!! He loved EVERYTHING about Texas. It was his life.
When he came to the end of his life, he called his family and friends together and told them that all he wanted was for a mound of Texas dirt to be placed in his closed hand when he was buried. And when he died, his family and friends fulfilled his wish.
When he got to Heaven, God met his at the gates. “I’m here to welcome you to Heaven but what is in your hand?” “Dirt,” the Texan said. “Well, you can’t bring dirt into heaven.” “But it’s from Texas and I won’t go in unless I can bring it.” God replied, “Then I guess you will have to stay out here.”
A few days went by and God returned to the Texan who was sitting on a bench outside the Pearly Gates with his fist closed tight around his mound of Texas dirt. “You ready to come in yet,” God asked. “Can I bring my Texas dirt in?” “No, I’m sorry you can’t.” “Then I’ll just stay out here.” “Ok,” said God, “but we have a HUGE party planned for you.” “If I can’t bring my Texas dirt, I don’t want to go”. God turned and left.
A couple of days later Jesus in the form of a child came out to visit the old Texan. “What cha doing, mister?” “Nothing.” “Why are you sitting out here?” “God won’t let me bring my Texas dirt in?” “Why do ya want that old clump of dirt anyway, you’re in Heaven.” “I just do! I want to bring it with me.” “It’s just an old clump of dirt! Just open your hand and let it go! Then me and you can go into Heaven together!”
The old Texan sat and thought about that. The little boy said, “just open your fingers and let it go.” Finally the old Texan just opened his fingers and the breath of the Lord blew the dirt out of his hand! He took the little boy’s hand and they walked through the Pearly Gates.
And do you know what he found when he entered Heaven? EVERYTHING TEXAS!
So my question to you is: What are you holding on to that is keeping God’s blessings from you?
copyrighted 2014
caryn cannatella
www.caryncann.com/?SOURCE=BLOG
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