I have a feeling I might live to regret this decision. He is a young lad and will soon reach a level of fitness that my youth deficiency will not longer allow me to attain.
So this invitation leads me to think about what we invite upon ourselves.
A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked. "No", she said. "He's out." "Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. "Go tell them I am home and invite them in!" The woman went out and invited the men in. "We do not go into a House together," they replied. "Why is that?" she wanted to know.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth ," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!” he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?" Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the three old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other two also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, Wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!"
OUR WISH FOR YOU... Where there is pain, we wish you peace and mercy.
Where there is self-doubting, we wish you a renewed confidence in your ability to work through them.
Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, we wish you understanding, patience, and renewed strength.
Where there is fear, we wish you love, and courage. Peace to you
And I do not think we can offer anything better to our friends.
This blog is linked to my other. Nature Fights Back
Perfect choice! Would that I would be as wise!
ReplyDeleteI was rooting for love! Nice story.
ReplyDeleteNice story Ralph but it distracted me a bit from your dilemma. What should a pacifist do?
ReplyDeleteThe young lad will no doubt at least contribute to the death of someone, that is his job after all. I see a lot of our American Veterans returning disabled or in body bags so there is that too. My inclination would be to help train this boy and maybe take the opportunity to discuss life as we ran. Whatever he will be he will be better having been exposed to you, stronger, wiser and having a broader perspective on life.
Lovely post, Ralph!
ReplyDeleteo my Ralph. may you have wisdom, endurance, and a light heart. you are a gem in this land of blogdom. never change! angelstar
ReplyDeleteWonderful story..I too was rooting for love..that coming from someone who is always short of money! I also thought that if you run with this young man..the running may create a zen like feeling in him to contemplate his life and help him make good decisions. Maybe he will choose to further his interests or education instead of enter the military. Sometimes here the recruiters for the military promise education and travel but the real travel is to the Middle East and the education is how can I deal with seeing the horrors of war. He should talk to ex military young men who have returned. Good luck..hoping you have a great weekend. Oh and the painting is lovely
ReplyDeletegreat story, Ralph...I know it to be true! Where there is love there is richness beyond measure. I am glad the people in your story made that perfect decision. Don't worry about your young protege outlasting you..tell him that it is best to run and talk at the same time! :)
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