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WEEKLY ENCOURAGEMENT
Updated: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Terrible, Tragically, Sad
Once upon a time, a young boy had a wonderful dream about his future. He told God what kind of house he wanted to live in, the way his wife should look and what her talents should be, what he desired to have for children, the job he wanted and even the model of car he hoped to own. God said, "That sounds like a nice dream. I want you to be happy."
I read an article in an old Reader's Digest that included this story, and I found the moral of the story to be so fitting for you and me. At the end of the man's life, everything was different than he had dreamed.
However, he was happily married to a sweet woman who was an excellent cook. His job was different than he had dreamed, but it helped save lives and provided a good living. Instead of three strong sons, he had three daughters. Each was gifted in a different way, including the one confined to a wheel chair. The car he drove was not the one of his dreams. It was not even the right color. The truth was, he often had to use public transportation.
One day the man remembered his dream and began to compare it to what he had. He complained to his friend, his wife, his therapist, his accountant, and his minister. Each pointed out the blessings the man had been given and all the good things he had experienced. Their words were to no avail, and the man became very sick. As he lay in the hospital, he began to complain to God. "Remember when I was a boy and I told you all the things I wanted?"
"Yes and it was a lovely dream," answered God. "Then why did you not give me what I wanted?" demanded the man.
God began to remind him of all the blessings he had been granted, but the man would not listen and again interrupted the Lord and said, "But I thought you were going to give me what I really wanted."
God answered, "And I thought you were going to give me what I really wanted." The man was stunned. It had not entered his mind that God might have wanted something from him. "What did you want?" asked the man. "I wanted to make you happy with what I'd given you," replied God.
The man lay in the dark all night and thought about what God had said. He came to understand that he had in fact been given what he wanted most. He regained his health and returned to his family with a thankful, contented heart.
How often are we guilty of dreaming of a nicer house, better paying job, smarter kids, more thoughtful husband, or a more spiritual church? By our dreaming, we miss how blessed we are and how greatly the Lord has supplied. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and unto his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalm 100:4
POINT TO PONDER:Take some time and think about what the Lord has done for you and what He has blessed you with? What are you lacking? Have you talked to Him about it?
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- Sandy Hastings |
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