He was an only child of a wealthy CEO of a multi-million dollar company. He was a bit of an over achiever, focused, and driven. He was graduating from college after only 3 years with honors. For months he had his eyes on a nifty sports car that was in the show room of a local car dealership a few miles from campus. Although a bit pricey, he knew his father could afford it and it was the only thing he asked for when graduation day came. After all, he had breezed through college on scholarship and was graduating school without any school loans.
As graduation approached the son filled out his exit paper work, picked up his cap and gown, and sent out invitations. He had a great job lined up after he graduated and had already found an apartment. Living 8 hours away from home didn't seem like much and it was close to the mountains where he loved to go snow skiing.
Finally the big day arrived. The weather allowed for an outdoor graduation and his reception at his father's house was awesome. Finally after the guests left his father called him into his private study. His father told his son how incredibly proud he was of him and how much he loved him. He expressed his appreciation for his hard work and for his academic accomplishments. His father then gave him a gift box wrapped in very expensive wrapping paper. A perplexed and curious look fell upon the son's face as he took the box.
He carefully unwrapped the gift box to find a beautiful, leather-bound Bible with is name stamped on the cover in gold leaf print. The curious look on his face turned to disappointment and then to anger. "Are you kidding me? With all of your wealth this is what you give me for graduation? A BIBLE? This is not what I asked for and not what I expected!" The son tossed the Bible onto his father's desk and walked out of the room never to see his father again.
He moved to his new home, 8 hours away, and began his job. He did not write, email, or call his father. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. 2 years later he received a phone call from his father's administrative assistant. His father had been in a terrible car accident and was in the hospital. He was in critical condition. With tears in his eyes he jumped into his 10 year old car and raced home. He arrived at the hospital too late, his father passed away 2 hours before he arrived.
Tears streamed from his face as he sat in the room... alone. His mind replayed the last time he had seen or talked to his father. Oh how he wished he could go back in time. How could he have been so insensitive... so immature.
The next day he went to his father's office at work to gather his dad's belongings and to sign papers. The lawyer was there to go over everything with him. His father had left him everything... the house, the checking account, savings account, everything. Sitting on the corner of his father's desk was the Bible he had given him 2 years ago. Tears swelled up as he picked up the Bible. It was really nice. There was little doubt his father had taken a great deal of time picking it out. He opened it up for the first time and read the inscription his father had written: To my most beloved son to whom I am so proud, May this book provide light for you in your darkest days and guidance when the pathway seems so unclear. May this book give you wisdom when you need it most and inspiration when you need it. May it give you strength when you are weak and companionship when you feel alone. And most importantly, may it guide you home when your journey is completed. Love, Dad
The son sat in the office in silence. He stared at the Bible that he held in his hands. He then flipped through the pages when suddenly something fell from it to the carpet below. He reached down and picked up a small brown envelope that had fallen out of the back of the Bible. He opened the envelope to find a key in it with a piece of paper. It was the title to the sports car he had wanted with the words "PAID IN FULL" stamped on it.
How many times in your life have you missed a blessing because it came packaged differently than the way you expected it? How many times did you react to something, or somebody, in such a way that you found that you were way off base once you figured everything out? How many times have you wished you could go back and change the words that you said to someone, or change the way you acted? How many times have you blown it?
How many times have you missed God's blessings for the exact same reasons? Maybe it is time for us to tune in to God and what He is doing in our lives. Life's journey is filled with twists and turns. Some are gentle curves and and rolling hills and sometimes it might be a harsh, drastic turn of events. Don't wait for a "better moment" or a more opportune time. Don't allow something that has happened to you weigh you down like an anchor or harbor ill will that poisons your soul. Remember what James 4:14 says, life is like a vapor, it appears for a short time and then vanishes away. There is no guarentees for tomorrow, so live each day as if it is your last. Otherwise, something that should have brought you great happiness and joy might come and bring sorrow instead.
TR
As graduation approached the son filled out his exit paper work, picked up his cap and gown, and sent out invitations. He had a great job lined up after he graduated and had already found an apartment. Living 8 hours away from home didn't seem like much and it was close to the mountains where he loved to go snow skiing.
Finally the big day arrived. The weather allowed for an outdoor graduation and his reception at his father's house was awesome. Finally after the guests left his father called him into his private study. His father told his son how incredibly proud he was of him and how much he loved him. He expressed his appreciation for his hard work and for his academic accomplishments. His father then gave him a gift box wrapped in very expensive wrapping paper. A perplexed and curious look fell upon the son's face as he took the box.
He carefully unwrapped the gift box to find a beautiful, leather-bound Bible with is name stamped on the cover in gold leaf print. The curious look on his face turned to disappointment and then to anger. "Are you kidding me? With all of your wealth this is what you give me for graduation? A BIBLE? This is not what I asked for and not what I expected!" The son tossed the Bible onto his father's desk and walked out of the room never to see his father again.
He moved to his new home, 8 hours away, and began his job. He did not write, email, or call his father. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. 2 years later he received a phone call from his father's administrative assistant. His father had been in a terrible car accident and was in the hospital. He was in critical condition. With tears in his eyes he jumped into his 10 year old car and raced home. He arrived at the hospital too late, his father passed away 2 hours before he arrived.
Tears streamed from his face as he sat in the room... alone. His mind replayed the last time he had seen or talked to his father. Oh how he wished he could go back in time. How could he have been so insensitive... so immature.
The next day he went to his father's office at work to gather his dad's belongings and to sign papers. The lawyer was there to go over everything with him. His father had left him everything... the house, the checking account, savings account, everything. Sitting on the corner of his father's desk was the Bible he had given him 2 years ago. Tears swelled up as he picked up the Bible. It was really nice. There was little doubt his father had taken a great deal of time picking it out. He opened it up for the first time and read the inscription his father had written: To my most beloved son to whom I am so proud, May this book provide light for you in your darkest days and guidance when the pathway seems so unclear. May this book give you wisdom when you need it most and inspiration when you need it. May it give you strength when you are weak and companionship when you feel alone. And most importantly, may it guide you home when your journey is completed. Love, Dad
The son sat in the office in silence. He stared at the Bible that he held in his hands. He then flipped through the pages when suddenly something fell from it to the carpet below. He reached down and picked up a small brown envelope that had fallen out of the back of the Bible. He opened the envelope to find a key in it with a piece of paper. It was the title to the sports car he had wanted with the words "PAID IN FULL" stamped on it.
How many times in your life have you missed a blessing because it came packaged differently than the way you expected it? How many times did you react to something, or somebody, in such a way that you found that you were way off base once you figured everything out? How many times have you wished you could go back and change the words that you said to someone, or change the way you acted? How many times have you blown it?
How many times have you missed God's blessings for the exact same reasons? Maybe it is time for us to tune in to God and what He is doing in our lives. Life's journey is filled with twists and turns. Some are gentle curves and and rolling hills and sometimes it might be a harsh, drastic turn of events. Don't wait for a "better moment" or a more opportune time. Don't allow something that has happened to you weigh you down like an anchor or harbor ill will that poisons your soul. Remember what James 4:14 says, life is like a vapor, it appears for a short time and then vanishes away. There is no guarentees for tomorrow, so live each day as if it is your last. Otherwise, something that should have brought you great happiness and joy might come and bring sorrow instead.
TR
3 comments:
WOW.. good thoughts.. Thank you..
Really great story. Love reading the blog, it always has something informative or challenging. Thanks!
This one hit close to home... thanks for the wake up call, I needed it.
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