The Pastor's Gift

The Pastor’s Gift



Dominick was not a typical twelve year old boy. He didn’t like sports as the other boys in his school did and he absolutely despised video games. There was one thing that he really enjoyed… he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, creativity, and imagination.

His mother would always find him with a book in his hands. She would continually encourage Dominick to spend more time playing outside, so Dominick found himself in the habit of sneaking books out of the house and going to the park to read.

On beautiful sunny days, the park in his neighborhood was a great place to read because he could feel the breezes of the wind blow and could hear the birds singing. One day while reading on his usual blanket of grass in his spot, he received a tap on his shoulder from behind. Startled, Dominick quickly spun around to see a tall elderly man wearing a nice suit standing there.

“Hello, Son!” the man greeted cheerfully, “What is your name?”

“I’m Dominick”, he replied, “and who are you?”

“My name is Reverend Bell and I’m the pastor here in town.” elderly man continued, “I wanted to stop and talk to you for a minute if you will let me, and I would like to give you something.”

“You want to give me something?” Dominick exclaimed as a big grin spread across his face.

“I have noticed all summer long that every time I walk by the park you are always sitting here reading books.” Reverend Bell said. “You must really love books, young man.”

“I sure do! I especially like adventure books.” Dominick replied.

Reverend Bell reached into his pocket and pulled out a small book. “I would like to give you one of the most adventurous books that I have ever read.” he said as he held it out to Dominick. “Before you accept this gift I want you to make me a promise that you will read the whole thing. Will you do that for me?”

“Of course,” Dominick answered as he grasped the little book in his hands, turning it over and opening the cover. “Wow, it has a lot of books within this book.”

“Twenty-seven to be exact!” the pastor exclaimed. “Each one will take you into far away place and give you stories that will absolutely amaze you.”

“I have never seen anything like this before, what is it?” Dominick asked with a puzzled look.

“It is the most important book you will every read. It is called the New Testament of the Bible.” the pastor answered.

In the weeks to follow, Reverend Bell always found Dominick in the park reading the little Bible that he had given the lad.

Through reading the little pocket New Testament day after day and through having frequent conversations with the pastor as he visited with him in the park, Dominick had begun to live out the adventures in his new found book by developing a personal relationship with the author, the Lord Jesus Christ!