A
commercial for a popular vacation resort entices the
discontent that at their place, “Having the time of
your life means having everything you ever dreamed
of.” That can be good. It’s nice to have a vacation
where you can escape from the busyness or the
humdrum of everyday life. But sooner or later most
of us have to come home and get back to the real
world where deadlines have to be met, jobs have to
be worked and bills have to be paid. Paris Hilton
recently made the not-so astonishing revelation that
her TV program “Simple Life” is “fake”. You don’t
say. She went on to state, “Even
my voice is different from me in real life. It's a
character I like to play. I think it’s carefree and
happy”.
Unfortunately
there are many people who go through life constantly
yearning for having everything they ever dreamed of.
They either have their heads in the clouds or are
chronically dissatisfied and sour. They don’t enjoy
the situation they have because the live in envy,
stewing over what someone else has. And they think
it’s just not fair. Maybe, they think, it’s even
God’s fault. If he really does love me, they
surmise, then he doesn’t really know what he’s
doing. Because if he did love me and he did know
what he was doing, he would give me the stuff or the
situation or the people in my life to make me happy.
There is so
much junk and fluff that floats from one email
address to another. But the following is one of the
best writings I have seen. I don’t know the author.
But he or she blessed many with this reflection.
Maybe you’ve seen it before. But have you lived it?
Learn its lesson and your life, your real life, will
be much sweeter and simpler.
I Asked God
-
I asked God to
take away my habit. God said, No. It is not
for me to take away, but for you to give it
up.
-
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God
said, No. His spirit is whole, his body is only
temporary.
-
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.
-
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I
give you blessings; Happiness is up to you.
-
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and
brings you closer to me.
-
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to
make you fruitful.
-
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No. I will give you life, so that you may
enjoy all things.
-
I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He
loves me. God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the
idea.
The
Lord
bless you and keep you; the
Lord
make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to
you; the Lord
lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)
God bless you,
Brad Fry
