Two
traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a
wealthy
family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in
the
mansion's guestroom. Instead the angels were given a space in the
cold
basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the
older angel saw a
hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked
why, the
older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they
seem".
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor,
but very
hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little
food they had
the, couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could
have a good
night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels
found the
farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been
their sole
income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was
infuriated and asked
the older angel "how could you have let this happen! The
first man had
everything, yet you helped him," she accused. "The
second family had little
but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow
die." "Things
aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.
"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed
there was gold
stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so
obsessed with greed
and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he
wouldn't
find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel
of death
came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead. Things aren't
always what
they seem."
Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don't turn out
the way
they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every
outcome is
always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time
later.
Think about this:
Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight,
just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.
Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair.
There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard-of
privilege.
Should you have a bad day at work,
think of the man who has been out of work for the last three
months.
Should you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the
person who has
never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.
Should you grieve the passing of another weekend,
think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day,
seven days a week, for -15.00 to feed her family.
Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from
assistance,
think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take
that walk.
Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror,
think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair
to examine.
Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all
about,
asking, "what is my purpose?," be thankful.
There are those who didn't live long enough to get the
opportunity.
Should you find yourself the victim of
other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities,
remember, things could be worse--you could be them!
Should you decide to send this to a friend, you might brighten
someone's
day! |