Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves. – Sir James M. Barrie
Today, we were the fortunate recipients of a simple, kind deed offered by thoughtful neighbors down the road. It was such a sweet gesture and so unexpected that it caught us completely by surprise and rendered me speechless for a time. Although they insisted again and again that “it was really nothing” in response to our expressions of gratitude, I couldn’t help but think how much this one little act touched my heart and brought joy into my day. This, I thought, is the power of love!
It’s amazing how even the smallest token of love which might seem insignificant to the giver, such as a smile, or a hug, when it is given away, has the ability to lift, to strengthen, and to heal. And because love begats love, that which we send out inevitably comes back to us again in great measure, and both the giver and the recipient are blessed alike. In a very real sense, this is the way in which God blesses the world.
This is beautifully illustrated in the story of the mustard seed.
There once lived a Chinese woman whose only son had died. In her grief, she went to an old sage and asked, “What magical incantations do you have to ease my suffering?”
After a moment of deep reflection, the wise man replied, “Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. When you find it, it will have the power to drive sorrow from your life.” Filled with hope, the woman went off at once in search of the magical mustard seed.
The first place she came to was a magnificent mansion, and she knocked on the door. “Surely”, she thought, “a family as well off as this one would know no suffering”. When the mistress of the house opened the door, the woman said, “I am looking for a home that has never known sorrow. Is this such a place?” With anguish, the mistress replied, “I’m afraid you’ve come to the wrong house”. She then proceeded to tell the woman of all the tragic things which had recently befallen those in the household.
Being greatly moved by this story of woe, the woman thought, “Who is better able to help this poor unfortunate woman than I, for I have had misfortune and suffering of my own.” With a heart filled with compassion, the woman offered the despairing mistress words of comfort, then stayed with her to help ease her burden of grief.
After some time, the woman proceeded on her way once again in search of the magical mustard seed. As she went from household to household she realized that the mustard seed would be difficult to find, for everywhere she went, she was met with one tale of woe and misfortune after another. Nevertheless, she did whatever she could to help ease the suffering of all she encountered.
So involved did this woman become in lightening the burdens of others and helping them cope with their grief that she hardly noticed that her own suffering had been eased. Although the mysterious mustard seed would never be found, it had proven to be for her a truly magical seed after all
“He that watereth shall be watered also himself.” (Proverbs 11:25)
Now I See
By Thomas C. LeDuc
I met a stranger in the night,
Whose lamp had ceased to shine;
I passed and let him light his lamp from mine.
A tempest sprang up later on,
And shook the world about,
And when the wind was gone, my lamp was out.
But, back came to me the stranger,
His lamp was glowing fine;
He held the precious flame and lighted mine.
Today, may the love you send out return to you in the same beautiful way it is given!
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