There are two days in every week about which we should not worry

BUYING TIME

A man came home from work late again, tired, irritated, and stressed, to find his 6-year-old son waiting for him at the door.
"Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, sure, what is it?" replied the man.
"Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?"
"That is none of your business! What makes you ask such a question?" the man said irritatingly.
"Oh, I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?" pleaded the little boy.
"Well, if you must know, I make $20.00 an hour."
"Oh," the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, "Daddy, may I barrow $10.00 please?"
The father was irritated. "If the only reason you want to know how much money I make is so you can barrow some for a dopey toy or other nonsense, then off to your room and think about your selfishness. And besides, you're only 6 years old, and 6 year-olds don't need money. I work long, hard hours every day to earn money for you and your mom, I don't have time to talk about loaning you money".
The little boy went quietly to his room and shut the door.
After about an hour, the father had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there really was a reason he needed to barrow $10.00, he had never asked before for money. The father went to the boy's room and knocked on the door. "May I come in?" inquired the father.
"Yes Daddy," replied the little boy.
"I have been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier," said the man. "It has been a long, tough day and I took my anger out on you. Here's the $10.00 you asked for."
The little boy sat up straight and beaming said "Oh thank you Daddy!" Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some crumpled up dollars.
The father seeing that the boy already had money started to get angry again. The little boy slowly started to count out his money, then looked up at his father.
"Why did you want more money if you already had some?" the father grumbled.
"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"For what," said his father.

"Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?"

Carrots, Eggs, & Coffee Beans

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and the last, ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. The daughter did and noted that they were soft.

She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg.

Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. "What's the point, mother?" Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level? How do you handle Adversity? ARE YOU A CARROT, AN EGG, OR A COFFEE BEAN?

Don't tell GOD how big your storm is. Tell the storm how big your GOD is!

Sermons I See

I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me than merely tell me the way.
The eye's a better pupil and more willing than the ear,
fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear
And the best of all preachers are the ones who live their creeds,
for to see good in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn how to do it if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run
And the lecture you deliver may be very wise and true,
but I'd rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.

Author: Edgar A. Guest

---

Everything I Need To Know About Life I Learned From a Jigsaw Puzzle

Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.
When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.
Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.
Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.
When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see above).
The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook.
Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.
Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.
Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.
Take time to celebrate your successes (even little ones).
Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed.

~ Author Unknown ~

---

Circles in Life

My grandfather took me out to a fish pond when I was about seven, and he told me to throw a stone into the water. He told me to watch the circles created by the stone. Then he asked me to think of myself as that stone.

He said, "You may create lots of splashes in your life but the waves that come from those splashes will disturb the peace of all your fellow creatures."

"Remember that you are responsible for what you put in your circle, and that circle will also touch many other circles. You will need to live in a way that allows the good that comes from your circle to send the peace of that goodness to others. The splash that comes from anger or jealousy will send those feelings to other circles. You are responsible for both."

That was the first time I realized each person creates the inner peace or discord that flows out into the world. We cannot create world peace if we are riddled with inner conflict, hatred, doubt, or anger.

We radiate the feelings and thoughts that we hold inside, whether we speak them or not. Whatever is splashing around inside of us is spilling out into the world, creating beauty or discord with all other circles of life.

---

The Oak Tree

A mighty wind Blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away

Then snapped its boughs And pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke
How can you still be standing Oak

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew

~ Author Unknown ~

---

The Emperor's Seed

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different.

He called young people in the kingdom together one day. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you."

The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today, one very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor!"

One boy named Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully.

Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about 3 weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by. Still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. 6 months went by; still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing.

Ling didn't say anything to his friends. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection.

Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot but his Mother said he must be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his Mother was right.

He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful, in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kinds laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down.

He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds, which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you.

Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

Author Unknown

---

Trying to please Everone
[The Man, His Son, and Their Donkey]

One day a boy and an old man were walking through a village with their donkey. The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked.
As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding.
The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some people that remarked, "What a shame, he makes that little boy walk."
They then decided they both would walk!
Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride.
So, they both rode the donkey.
Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying "how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey".
The boy and man said they were probably right, so they decided to carry the donkey.

As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.
The moral of the story?

Remember, it is hardly ever possible to please everyone.

Author Unknown

---

A Man and his Son and their Donkey
An Aesop fable re-told by Andrew Wright

’Let’s go to the market and let’s sell the donkey.’ said the man.
So the man and his son took the donkey to the market. They walked along the road and the donkey walked behind them.
A young man saw the man and his son and their donkey. He laughed, ’You’re crazy! Why don’t you ride on your donkey?’
’You’re right!’ said the man and he got on the donkey. The donkey walked in front and the man’s son walked behind.
A young woman saw the man riding on the donkey and his young son walking behind. She shouted, ’That’s not fair! You are big and strong and that poor little boy is tired. He must ride on the donkey. Not you!’

’You’re right!’ said the man. So the man got off the donkey and he told his son to get on the donkey. The donkey walked in front and the father walked behind.

A rich farmer saw the boy riding on the donkey and the father walking behind. ’Heh! You’ve got a donkey but you are walking. That’s ridiculous!’ ’You’re right. It is ridiculous!’ said the man and so he got on the donkey and sat behind his son.

A poor old woman saw the man and his son riding on the donkey. ’That’s cruel! That is so cruel! Poor donkey! Get off it at once! It is the donkey’s turn. YOU must carry the donkey!’
’Yes, you’re right. It’s cruel!’ said the man. So the man and his son got off the donkey.

Then the man tied the donkey’s feet togther and then he got a long branch and he put it between the donkey’s legs and then the man and his son picked up the donkey and carried him to the market.
’Poor donkey!’ everbody shouted. ’Put that donkey down! Don’t tie its legs! Let it walk!’
’Oh, no!’ said the man. ’We wanted to make everbody happy! Now everybody is angry!’

So the man cut the rope. The donkey stood up and then it ran away. Try to make everybody happy and you make nobody happy!

Author Unknown

---

A Man and his Son and their Donkey
[Another Version]
Once a man, his boy, and a donkey were traveling to a city that was very far away. On their way there, they passed many villages and met many different kinds of people who believed very different things. The man prided himself on being an open-minded person who accepted these differences among people and the things they believe, and he wanted to teach his son to accept different beliefs too.
One day, the two travelers and their donkey walked into a village where the people believed that being young was the most beautiful thing and that young people should be admired and honored. When they saw the man and his boy walk into town, they stopped them and said to the man, “You’re not taking proper care of the young boy. He should be honored and allowed to ride on the donkey instead of walking.” So the man put his boy on the donkey and they rode out of town.
On the next day, they came to a village where the people believed that the older a person is, the more he should be respected. When they saw the man walking by with his son riding the donkey, they stopped him and said “You are the eldest. You should be the one riding the donkey.” So the man lifted his son off the donkey and got on it himself.
On the next day, the three came to a village in which the people believed that animals have rights just as humans do and that they should be respected and honored just as much as humans are, if not more. When they saw the man riding the poor, tired donkey, they became angry with him and said, “The poor donkey has been doing all of the work and you have done none of it. The donkey has just as much right to ride as you do.” So the man got off of the donkey. He and his son cut a strong pole and tied the donkey’s feet to it so that they could carry him and give him a rest.
On the next day, they came to a village where everyone believed that people are the highest creatures in a world order that has been created by God, and that all other creatures should serve people as their masters. They laughed at the man and boy carrying the donkey and said that they should both ride the beast and whip him with a stick if he refused to carry them. So they both got on the donkey and rode him out of town.
The next day they arrived at a bridge just outside the city where they were going. The donkey was tired and sat down on the bridge. The man told his son to go fetch a stick to hit the donkey with to make him go, and the boy did as he was told. He stood behind his father and watched as he prepared to hit the donkey.
. . but the donkey saw what was coming, and as the man raised his stick to hit him, the donkey kicked him hard, sending both the man and his son tumbling into the river below. By the time they swam to shore, the donkey had run off and left them.

Author Unknown

---

The Mule

Once there was a farmer who owned an old mule. One day the mule fell into the farmer's well and the farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.

Instead, he called all his neighbors together, told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical, but as the farmer and his neighbors continued shovelling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he could shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up ... shake it off and step up ... shake it off and step up!"

He repeated this to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, finally stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would only bury him actually helped him ... all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

See also The Donkey who fell down a well ~ Author Unknown ~

---

If you plant

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, you will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.

But:

If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.

So be careful what you plant now, it will determine what you will reap tomorrow.

The seeds you now scatter will make life worse or better your life or the ones who will come after. Yes, someday, you will enjoy the fruits, or you will pay for the choices you plant today.

Author Unknown

---

The Bridge

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labour and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's tool box. "I'm looking for a few days' work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"

"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbour, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence --an 8-foot fence --so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation". Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbour, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched.

"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.

"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother.

"I'd love to stay on," the carpenter replied, "but, I have many more bridges to build".

Author Unknown

---

Diamonds Are Forever

The value of a diamond is not determined by what people use it for but by what it is made up of. Whatever you use a diamond for will not affect its value. You can drop a diamond in mud but it will still be a diamond. A diamond carries its own value and doesn't allow other people or situations to determine it. A wise person knows how best to use a diamond in hand but a fool may decide to use it for anything, even dropping it in a gutter, and still it will not cease to be a diamond. Like the diamond, anyone who knows how much he or she is valued does not struggle to get people to value them and would not also not allow situations and challenges to keep them down, simply because they know how much they are worth or valued.

Self-value is an important virtue any human being can acquire and should acquire. When you know your value you don't care how people value you because you know what they are missing by devaluing you. In short, you know what you are worth and therefore no one or any situation determines your value or your worth.

Many people have allowed others to define to them their value or worth. That is why a person may condemn themself if, for instance, he or she fails to qualify for a job, gain admission to a particular institution, or fails a particular test. Such a person may become dejected, confused and hopeless because he or she doesn't know how much she or he is worth.

The opposite of this kind of person is one who knows how much he or she is worth, and always imagines a new start when faced with challenges. For such a person challenges cannot keep him or her down, like the diamond they still know their value even when dropped in the mud. In their mind he or she knows that they are a great person with a lot of potential and of great use and therefore needed somewhere.

Self-valuing does not come by chance. You must work at it and never forget that you are the only one who knows your worth. The way you treat yourself gives others the idea of your worth. It is therefore important to know your worth.

The road to self-value or valuing oneself begins with loving yourself. Many people can give out love to others but only few can people can really love and appreciate themselves. Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. This does not mean being selfish, that is not the issue. You are a person and as such you deserve good things in life so treat yourself well. When you have much love for yourself you build a strong internal pillar of love and this will keep you going when outside love (love from others) vanishes. Take time to say good things about yourself to yourself. Don't blame or hurt yourself so much when things go wrong, and don't forget to praise yourself for every little success, and congratulate yourself for you deserve it.

Knowing yourself is an important step to self-valuing. Many of us know history about some great people but the unfortunate thing is that we don't really know anything about ourselves. The great men and women became an example to us because they knew who they were. It takes only people who know who they are to make an impact; in effect you cannot make any positive impact here on this earth if you do not know who you are. Get into yourself and know the potentials and gifts you possess and begin to develop and use them.

Remember also to sincerely appreciate the unique gifts of others and praise them if need be. In doing this you will also will begin to appreciate God for who he has made you to be and never forget to thank God for your life because your life matters to him and to this world.

Author Unknown

---

Love, Wealth, and Success

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 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 replied. "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 asked.

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!"

---

The Box of Gold

Once upon a time, a king had a great highway built for the people who lived in his kingdom. After it was completed, but before it was opened to the public, the king decided to have a contest. He invited as many of his subjects as desired to participate. The challenge was to see who could travel the highway the best, and the winner was to receive a box of gold.

On the day of the contest, all the people came. Some of them had fine chariots, some had fine clothing and fancy food to make the trip a luxurious journey. Some wore their sturdiest shoes and ran along the highway on their feet to show their skill. All day they traveled the highway, and each one, when he arrived at the end, complained to the king about a large pile of rocks and debris that had been left almost blocking the road at one point, and that got in their way and hindered their travel.

At the end of the day, a lone traveler crossed the finish line warily and walked over to the king. He was tired and dirty, but he addressed the king with great respect and handed him a small chest of gold. He said, "I stopped along the way to clear a pile of rocks and debris that was blocking the road. This chest of gold was under it all. Please have it returned to its rightful owner."

The king replied, "You are the rightful owner."

"Oh no," said the traveler, "This is not mine. I've never known such money."

"Oh yes," said the king, "you've earned this gold, for you won my contest.. He who travels the road best is he who makes the road better for those who will follow."

---

The Tea Cup

There was a couple who used to go England to shop in a beautiful antique store. This trip was to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially tea cups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked, "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the tea cup spoke, "You don't understand." It said, "I have not always been a tea cup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me, pounded and patted me over and over, and I yelled out, 'Don't do that.

I don't like it! Let me alone,' but he only smiled, and gently said, 'Not yet!!' "Then...WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and quietly said, 'Not yet.' He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then...then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat.

I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. 'Help! Get me out of here!' I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook His head from side to side, 'Not yet.' "When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool.

Oh, that felt so good! Ah, this is much better, I thought. "But, after I cooled, he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please, stop it, stop it!!' I cried. He only shook his head and said, 'Not yet!' "Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited...and waited...wondering, What's he going to do to me next? !"An hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did.

"I said, 'That's not me. That couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!' "Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember back to the beginning," he said, "I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted but, had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel but, if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt, and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven but, if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over but, if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in That second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness Would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had In mind when I first began with you.'"

The moral of this story is this: God knows what He is doing with each Of us. He is the Potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, and expose us to just enough pressures - of just the right kinds - so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill HIS good, pleasing and perfect will. So...when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this.....brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down, and think of this story. Then have a talk with the Potter.

---

The Wisdom in Hot Chocolate

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said:

'Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. The cup that you 're drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups. And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups.

The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate!!

---