His name is Bill. He has long hair, wears a dirty T-shirt, jeans with holes in them, and sandals on his feet. It is the same clothes Bill wears every day this time of year. He is a homeless teenager living in the woods in a tent.

There are many more like him. They come from broken homes or conditions none of us can imagine. Several local churches have food and clothing collections for an organization that tries to help these kids. Bill had gone there recently to pick up some clothes and food. In the bag was a Bible someone had put there. That night, in his tent using a flashlight, Bill started reading that Bible.

Near the woods was a very conservative church. That Sunday, Bill decided to go there and learn more about what he was reading. He walked in wearing the clothes he always wears.  The service had already begun and the pastor was getting ready to speak.

Bill started down the aisle, looking for a seat, but could not find one. The church people were looking uncomfortable. The security team was on alert. Bill got closer to the front and realized there were no seats. So, he just squatted down and sat on the floor. That had never happened in this church before. By now, people were uptight, and you could feel the tension.

From the back of the church, an old man in his 80s, using a cane, was slowly making his way toward Bill. It took a long time for the old man to reach him. The church was silent except for the clicking of the cane. All eyes focused on him. The pastor could not preach the sermon until the old man got to where Bill was sitting on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowered himself next to Bill and put his arm around him so he would not be alone.

Everyone choked up with emotion. Then the pastor said, “What I am about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Each of you may be the only Bible some people will ever read. Through your daily actions, you are an unspoken bible.