Once in a small town there lived a very wealthy man. He was known to be very pious, charitable and humble. He was blessed with a very God loving wife and three dutiful sons.
Every day he and his wife visited the village temple nearby. On one such day he went before the idol of the Lord and prayed as usual for a long time. As he finished his wife as usual bent before the idol only for a single second and returned to attend to her children.
On their way back home one of the sons asked, “Respected father, you spend so much time with the good Lord every day. What do you say to Him?” The father replied, “Son, I thank God for giving me you in this life. I thank Him for your mother. I thank Him for your grandmother and grandfather. I thank Him for my work. I thank Him for my wealth. I thank Him for keeping us safe and virtuous. I thank Him for everything He has given me.”
Soon the same son turned around and asked his mother, “Respected mother, why is it that you pray to the good Lord only for a second and then return to us?” The mother replied, “Son, I thank God for Him and then I quickly return to His task…and my duty. In that prayer O son, I remind myself of Him within me and then when I return to take care of you He reminds me of His love that is within me and all of His children. And that strength alone takes me back to the temple the next day.”
Thank the Lord for Him alone. All else has come to you only to go. Do not focus on them and live in fear. Be free. Nothing in life comes to you without His Grace. To remember that Grace at all times is the biggest boon in life!
Thank the Lord for the Lord has come…
Part of the book: 'Inspiring Thoughts'
By Seema M. Dewan
Copyright reserved by author
Permission given for sharing without changes to text.