One Sunday
morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin.
Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a
denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried
a worn out old hat and an equally worn out Bible. The church he entered was
in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and
most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. The people of the
congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories. As the
cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted, spoke
to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not
attempt to hide it.
As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him and
asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again,
have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire
for worship." The old cowboy assured the preacher he would.
The next Sunday, he showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged
jeans, shirt, boots, and hat. Once again he was completely shunned and
ignored. The preacher approached the man and said, "I thought I asked you to
speak to God before you came back to our church."
"I did," replied the old cowboy.
"If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for
worshiping in here?" asked the preacher.
"Well, sir, God told me that he didn't have a clue what I should wear. He
said He'd never been in this church."