THE SON

*The SON *
>
> *This is great, take a moment to read it, it will make your day!*
>
> *The ending will surprise you.*
>
> *Take my Son*
>
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had
> everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would
often sit together and admire the great works of art.*
>
> *When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was
very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The
> father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.*
>
> *About a month later, just before Christmas,* there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.*
>
> *He said, 'Sir you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your
son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me
to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He
often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out
> this package.... 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great
> artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'*
>
> *The father* *opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the
young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality
of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his
own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him
> for the picture. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did
> for me. It's a gift.'*
>
> *The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors
came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed
> them any of the other great works he had collected.*
>
> *The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of
his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the
great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.*
>
> *On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded
his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who
> will bid for this picture?'*
>
> *There was silence...*
>
**Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the
> famous paintings. Skip this one.'*
> *But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting?
> Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'*
>
> *Another voice angrily said, 'We didn't come to see this painting.
We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the *real bids!'*
>
> But still the auctioneer continued.. 'The son! The son! Who'll take
the son?'*
>
> Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the
> longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the
> painting.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.*
>
> 'We have $10, who will bid $20?'*
>
> 'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'*
>
> The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the
son.* They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.*
>
>>The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'*
>
> *A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the
> collection!'*
> *The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'*
>
> *'What about the paintings?'*
>
> *'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told
of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that
> stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be
> auctioned.. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire
> estate, including the paintings.*
>
> *The man who took the son gets everything!'*
>
> *God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the
> auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the
son?' *Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.*
>
> *FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHO SO
EVER BELIEVETH IN HIM, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE*
>
Tell people of this story.
>
> *Do whatever you like, but remember that maybe 'one' of the people you
> might have taken the time to send this to, may be just the person who
> needs to hear this message.. You have a choice to make.'*
>
> * **God Bless.*
>
> Too bad that the person who sent it to me did not know 10 people who
> would admit to knowing the Lord.
>
> Do You Love Him?
>
> This is a simple test:
> IF YOU LOVE JESUS, Tell
> THIS TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU!

Thank You Barb for sending this