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 before.'