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Text Box: Terrace Talk

Text Box: “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” -John 14:2 Earlier this Spring, I received a phone call from Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia’s office in Houston. I was invited to offer the opening prayer for all proceedings on June 3, 2008. I gladly consented, and after hanging up, I immediately marked my calendar. In May, a reminder letter arrived from Susie Allen, Commissioner Garcia’s Community Liaison. Included was a very helpful map to their downtown location. I placed the letter, with the map, where I would not forget it. I also had Aaron write down the date for added insurance. All efforts to NOT FORGET worked! On the morning of June 3rd , I grabbed my letter and map and left with time to spare. It struck me that reading the letter would be in order just to double-check details. “Dear Reverend Whitaker: Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to appear at Harris County Commissioner’s Court. You are scheduled to offer the opening prayer on Tuesday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Garcia asks that you be at her office by 9:30 a.m. to enjoy coffee and donuts with her. The address is as follows: County Administration Building 1001 Preston St., Suite 950 (enter

Text Box: parking garage from Fannin St.) Houston, Texas 77002” There was more to the letter, but that was all I needed. I looked the map over carefully and mentally pinpointed the exact location. I found the building with no problem. However, parking in the their garage sounded expensive, so I looked for a street meter spot. Wow, the place was so busy. Surely, I would find an open spot. And I did…just five blocks away. O well, I was still on time, and the walk would do me good! I got three blocks from the car and suddenly realized I had forgotten to put money in the meter. So, the dash was on…back to the car; pay the meter; put the receipt visibly on the dashboard, and dash to the building 5 blocks away. Okay…Suite 950 surely means the 9th floor. Something was wrong. The elevator didn’t go to the 9th floor. A quick thought flashed: “Whitaker, use your head and ask somebody!” Don’t ask me how, but I was in the wrong building. “Stay calm!” I told myself, “I’m only a block away from the right building.” I got to the 9th floor about 9:45 a.m., and I began to breather easier even though donut time was over. Commissioner Garcia was so warm in her greeting, but she and several

Text Box: others with her had to go. “Please sit right here, and when Court is ready to convene, someone will usher you in.” So, I sat down, all alone, and sipped on some water. Why not take a look at the rest of the letter? “You will park in the basement of the building in the “Free” reserved space (marked with an X) and feel free to ask the attendant for your reserved space. Please see Gloria Moreno with any questions…etc.” What! I could not believe my eyes. I had a “Free” reserved parking space, and I didn’t know it because I didn’t take the time to read the whole letter! How could someone as brilliant as I am be such a dumbbell! Then it hit me. Our Lord has a “Free, reserved place” for us in heaven. “In My Father’s house are many mansions…” Yet, how many of us don’t get it because we don’t take the time to read the whole letter, that is, the Good Book? (Sounds like a sermon waiting to happen!) The courtroom was packed…county officials, federal employees, law enforcement, lawyers, media people…It was standing room only, and there wasn’t much of that. Judge Emmitt introduced me and invited me to the podium. In the midst of

Text Box: the prayer, I thanked God for the “Free, reserved mansion” that exists in heaven for each one of His children. And I prayed that the knowledge of that mansion would motivate each and every one of us to not grow weary in well doing, but to continue giving our very best in serving God and the good people of Houston, in Jesus’ name! After the Amen, I turned to leave. Then came the voice. “Preacher, before you leave, could you tell me more about that free, reserved place in heaven? Where can I find the contract that tells about it, because I want to tell you, Preacher, the idea of a free, reserved place in heaven sure thrills the hell right out of me!” Before stopping to think, I stepped back to the mic and said, “And, sir, we sure want the hell to be thrilled right out of you!” That did it! Laughter broke out everywhere in that room. That was the end of our exchange. I got out into the hallway and began to feel unsettled. That man’s questions deserved answers. That man was Commissioner Jerry Eversole from Precinct #4. He will soon receive a mailing from yours truly! I want him to know all about this awesome contract (Most call it the New Testament.) that includes a “Free, reserved place” for all who believe in Jesus Christ! Clay