Monday 24 January 2011

Blessing in Strangest Places

Before I get into this blog today I want to give a thousand apologies to those who take the time to read my blogs and make comment and even go so far as to email me. I have had, to say the least a terrible week since my last post. Firstly I was out walking and was feeling terrible, I could not move and struggled to get home. Not at a pleasant experience. I was told I had a virus, not that this information was much comfort.

During the few days I was feeling unwell I kept getting emails telling me that my virus subscriptions for my computer were not up to date. I found that somewhat funny. Anyway I updated the subscription and the company told me to download the latest version of the software, which I did. Sadly it ws not working correctly. I contacted the company and was told it would not be a problem they would take control of my computr and put it right. Before I knew where I was my computer was more ill than I was. IN fact it had died. The only way to solve it was to reinstall the operating system, which of course lost me all my existing software, my favourites list, all my passwords, pictures that I had as yet not backed up and a grea tmany documents.  So this morning I am still in the stage of trying to rebuild it. As yet no access to any artwork so I apologise. 

I am sure that out of all of this something good will come. It is so often the way that good comes when you least expect it and in the strangest of ways. Like in the following short story.

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son
a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the
sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

It is true that often surprises come in the least expected of packages.

This blog is linked to my other. Friends at Heart are Worth Having

10 comments:

  1. Gosh, it would be hard to live with that guilt that man must feel. Maybe not the intent of your story but my own family issues have sent me down this road. So sorry to hear about your week, Ralph. Hope this new one is better than the last.

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  2. Good Morning Ralph this week will be good. Computers are like women, huh? Can't live with them and can't live without them!

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  3. I hope you're feeling better! Do you carry a cell phone when you're out there running? I'm glad you made it home safely. Sorry about the computer. But I am a firm believer in new beginnings. Once I get over the frustration of having to start over on something, it usually turns out better than before. Hope that holds true in this case. Good luck with it!

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  4. What a sad story... I hope you finally got your medicine and are feeling better.

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  5. Hi Ralph...I sure don't like the young man in your story! lol--what a dip! But, still I know that there are many people like him in the world, and that at times myself I have put things before people too....stupidly. I am so sorry about your computer! I hope you get it all back together soon. Let us know what "good" comes out of the problem---as you say, I bet there is something. I'm glad I "met" you so that I can keep getting reminded of these things! Take care of yourself! Feel better soon :)

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  6. I can always count on a thoughtful story from you. Hope you're feeling better, and your computer is doing better.

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  7. Feel better Ralph. Reloading a computer is no fun.
    Your story made me sad today. Oddly, I was left wondering where the car was! I'm like that.
    Take care and see you soon.

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  8. Chicken soup and be good to yourself Ralph! Hope all is better soon.... Susan :)

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  9. Ralph, hope things get better for you. I don't like the young man in your story either. I was taught to be polite when accepting gifts..no matter what they are. I have found that I love the gifts..not for what they are but for who gave them to me and the thought that went into them. It was a valuable lesson learned at a very young age. Too bad this young man learned it too late..wonder if his car rotted from rust.

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  10. Ralph, alot of those "virus" messages are bogus...i hope the company was legit, if not-they are the ones who caused your crash!

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