A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, “Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.”
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the Holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, “You have seen Hell.”
They went to the next room and opened the door.
It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy Man said, “I don't understand.”
“It is simple,” said the Lord. “It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.”
“Remember this, when Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you.”
HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!
An Easter Poem
On the Third Day — by Margaret Wideyke
As pale streaks of coral open The closed, dark, nighttime skies, Two women trudge the dusty road That leads to the place where He lies.
Bring burial spices, they enter, Subdued by all that happened before. As they near the tomb they remember The rock that blocks the door.
But when they reach the site, The rock stands at one side, And within, an angel dressed in white Speaks of their Lord who was crucified.
“This is the place where they laid Him, But He is not here. He is not dead. Carry the word to His friends: He has risen as He said.”
Joyful, astonished, afraid to believe, For a moment, they stand paralyzed. Then they rush to report what the angel said As the glorious sun is on the rise.
Somebody asked me recently what do I think about the people out there who are seen as failures by their peers. (The definition of failure can be different from one person to another). I know that there are people who are being very patient while working on themselves, or an important project that hopefully will result in them achieving their dreams. They do this silently and diligently. They may appear to be failing but, they the are far from failing and diligently working towards their goal.
Beware of judging others. Because you never how things will turn out. I have seen this happen so many times. May I leave you with this, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race ” Calvin Coolidge.
“Remember then: there is only one time that is important—Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.”
Summary: “The Three Questions” is a short story by Russian author Leo Tolstoy that was published in 1903. The story follows a king seeking answers to three questions: What is the best time to do things? Who is the most important person? What is the right thing to do? He offers a reward for the answers to these questions and consults with various advisors and wise men, but none can give him satisfactory responses. Eventually, he learns the answers to his questions through his own experiences and actions.
Theme: “The Three Questions” portrays the importance of living in the present moment and taking personal action. The story emphasizes the futility of worrying about the past or the future and highlights the importance of engaging fully in all of life’s moments.
Moral of the story: The story teaches that the answers to life’s big questions can only be found through action and experience rather than through intellectual inquiry alone. Tolstoy shows that the best way to live is with compassion and kindness toward others. It also encourages readers to cultivate a sense of mindfulness, rather than being preoccupied with the past or the future
Even in the midst of despair, may you feel that you are
being lifted upon wings of hope. Love you Friend,.
