Once upon a time a family that had been very active lost interest in the church. The preacher and their fellow church members pleaded with them to get involved again, but nothing seemed to work.
One day, the father and sons were in the fields working. A big rattlesnake bit one of the boys, and he became very sick. The doctor did all he could for the boy and then told the family, "all we can do now is pray." Immediately the father sent for the preacher of the church. This is the prayer the preacher is reported to have prayed:
"Oh wise and righteous Father, we pray for this boy's full recovery. But we also thank you for sending this rattlesnake. This family hasn't been in church for years, and we pray that this serpent will be used to bring them all to a spirit of genuine repentance. Already this snake has done more to turn them around than all the pleas of their fellow Christians. On second thought, Lord, maybe what our entire church needs are bigger and better rattlesnakes."
I might add that this country needs millions of these snakes!! (KMG)