A Union soldier heard the terrible news that both his father and his only brother were tragically killed at Gettysburg. His thoughts immediately went to his sister back home. How could she possibly take care of the farm work and bring in the harvest all by herself? After getting permission, he traveled to Washington to see if President Lincoln would give him a discharge to let him go home to help his sister take care of the farm.
        Unfortunately, when he reached the White House he was turned away by a guard who told him that the president was much too busy to see him.  Disheartened and dejected, the young man walked across the street and sat on a park bench.
        A boy walked up to him and asked, “Why are you so sad?”
        So the young soldier poured his heart out to the little boy. After hearing the story the boy extended his hand and said, “Come with me.”
        The soldier took the little boy’s hand and followed him back to the White house, past the guards who this time were silent, and straight into the office of President Abraham Lincoln. They did not even knock on the office door. Lincoln looked up from the battle plans he and a general were discussing and asked, “Who is your friend, Todd?”
        “He is a soldier who needs help, and Dad, you are the only person who can help him,” said young Todd Lincoln.
        With that introduction the soldier told his story and immediately was given a discharge and allowed to go to his family home.
        Incredible as it may sound, by taking the hand of Jesus the Son, you and I are ushered directly into the throne room of His Father, the King of everything. We are immediately given our discharge from our past sins, and are allowed to go back to our heavenly home. The true story of Todd Lincoln and the soldier is a mere earthly imitation of the even more exciting heavenly reality.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 3rd, 2009 at 9:53 pm and is filed under Shadows.