"NOBODY"

Sal worked at a metal manufacturing plant which made brackets for boat and airplane seats. He was a big man, quick witted, loved to tell jokes and enjoyed playing pranks on others. Sal was a leader and his closest followers, Wade and Rico always went along with Sal. Then there was another coworker named Cyril who was much older than the rest of the workers in his department. Cyril was also a big guy but was reserved, gentle and aloof. He always ate lunch by himself and rarely interacted with his coworkers.

Cyril wore the same patched denim trousers and shirt every day for two straight years. Never stunk so it must have been a continuous cycle of daily wash and wear. Cyril never took part in playing spades or horseshoes during lunch or break times. He always appeared reticent, sitting by himself under a tree or in a corner of the lunchroom. Cyril was a natural target for practical jokes, especially for prank prone Sal.

Cyril might find a live frog in his lunchbox or a dead spider in his ball cap but he always took these pranks in good humor. He never got perplexed or irate.

The factory closed down for deer season. Sal, Wade and Rico were avid deer hunters sharing a hunting cabin together and always promised to bring each coworker deer meat if they killed one.

Word was received Sal killed a big buck so the eight coworkers in his department were anticipating some nice cuts of venison. However, word had also leaked out to a select few coworkers that Sal was going to play a real whopper of a prank on old soul Cyril.

Sal had cut up the big buck deer and made up seven nice packages of deer meat for his coworkers. But for the laughs and grins, Sal had saved the buck deer’s ears, tail and hoofs, then wrapped them in a package for Cyril.

Sal distributed the packages during the lunch break. Seven packages opened with several nice deer steaks in each one and everyone gave Sal a big thank you.

The eighth and biggest package was saved for last. It was for the old soul Cyril. Sal, looking smug while Wade and Rico were snickering trying not to bust a gut laughing as Sal went to the end of the lunch table where Cyril sat by himself. Sal handed Cyril the big package and everyone waited.

Cyril was never one to say much and you could easily forget he was around because of silence. In two years, he hadn’t spoke more than a hundred words which is why everyone was astounded when Cyril opened his package.?

Cyril stood to his feet, smiled broadly at Sal and everyone noticed his eyes were glistening. A glistening of happy tears while his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he struggled to tell Sal; “I knew you wouldn’t forget me.”

Cyril, now getting his composure added; “Sal, you are big and playful but I knew all along you had a good heart.”

Cyril, swallowed again, and then took in the rest of workers saying;?“I know I haven't seemed too chummy with you men; but I never meant to be rude. You see, I've got nine kids at home and a wife who has been a bed ridden invalid?the past?four years. She ain't ever going to get any better. And sometimes when she's real bad off, I have to sit up all night to take care of her. And most of my wages have had to go for doctors and medicine.”

Cyril, now getting emotional said; “The kids do all they can to help out, but at times it's been hard to keep food in their mouths. Maybe you think it's funny that I go off by myself to eat my lunch. Well, I guess I've been a little ashamed, because I don't always have anything between my sandwich. Or like today, there's only a raw turnip in my lunch box. But I want you to know that this deer meat really means a lot to me. Maybe, to more than anybody here because tonight my kids,” as he wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand,?“tonight,?my kids will have a really good meal.”

Cyril had broken the wrapper and was already surveying his present. He examined each hoof, each ear, and then he held up the tail. It wiggled limply. It should have been so funny, but nobody laughed, nobody at all.

But the the gut wrencher was when?Cyril?looked up and said;?“thank you”?while trying to smile?and be grateful for a prank package of deer ears and tails.

Silently,?each man moved forward carrying their own?package of deer steaks and quietly placed it in front of Cyril?as?they had suddenly realized how little their own gift had really meant to them, until now.?Cyril touched every man’s heart that day. No one had any idea why he was aloof and wore the same patched jeans and shirt until that day.

God was in that lunchroom because not only did each coworker give Cyril the packages of venison but?each man shared their lunch with Cyril. One coworker?even took off his shirt and gave it to Cyril. Even the prankster Sal went out to his pickup and got a new pair of insulated coveralls and gave them to the Cyril. Expensive coveralls which Sal has just received from his wife for his birthday. The old soul Cyril and his numerous hardships brought God to lunch and his coworkers that day.

No question God likes a good knee slapper and He teaches us there is a time to weep and a time to laugh. (Ecclesiastes 3:4) God’s Good Book also teaches us that God will fill our mouths with laughter and our lips with joy. (Job 8:21) No doubt God has Himself a loud and boisterous whoop whoop when we make plans on our own or watches some of the stupid stuff we do. My Grandfather Green, who was a Baptist minister, used to tell a joke that when we experience “Deja Vu” it is really God hitting the rewind button for His friends to get a good smile.

No doubt some of our private and selfish prayers gives God a good chuckle. He’s probably thinking I can hear you clucking but I can’t find your nest when we ask God to let us hit the Mega Millions Lotto or find a magic pill to rid ourselves of wrinkles or weight among a thousand other inane type prayers.

Yes, our Heavenly Father loves for us to make merriment and have a good time. (Ecclesiastes 10:19) However, God is plain and direct we should not have a good laugh which is harmful or hurts others. (Romans 14:13-17, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:8-9)

God is also plain and direct we are to help those who are struggling and to help those who can’t help themselves. (Hebrews 13:16) In fact, God will reward us for giving to the needy and helping others. (Proverbs 19:17) Refusing to share God’s blessings with others or to help those in need is a sin second only to the unpardonable sin and is contrary to the basic tenet of being a Christian.

Have you ever heard the saying “old too soon, wise too late?” Three of history’s mega rich titans who built America were Vanderbilt, Rockefeller and Carnegie. After Vanderbilt’s funeral, Rockefeller and Carnegie spent the rest of their lives seeing how much of their scads of riches they could give away to help others. Death has a way of getting through our thick skulls that life is short and our money is no good inside the Pearly Gates. Helping others is the most basic example of serving God.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all the blessings You give to us. Remind us daily we took an obligation to serve You when we accepted Jesus’ forgiveness and victory over the grave. Grant us wisdom and guidance to search for those who need assistance and never let us hesitate to help with money, food, shelter, clothing and a prayer. The lyrics to the gospel song, “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus” hits the nail on the head.?Lord, let us never hesitate to share that goodness!?