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 well
read 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 jewelry.
As the cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No
one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed him. They were all appalled by 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 here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would
Be appropriate attire for worship in church."
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 cowboy 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 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."