Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point in their journey, they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:
"Today, my best friend slapped me in the face."
They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath.
The one who had been slapped, got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.
After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:
"Today, my best friend saved my life."
The friend who had slapped, and then saved his friend, asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand, and now you write on a stone, why?"
The friend replied, "When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone, where no wind can ever erase it."
I think that writing your hurts in the sand, and carving your benefits in stone, might be a hard thing to do sometimes, but it would probably be very good for one's mental and emotional peace of mind to do so.
The thing is, that it's often easier said, than done.
10 comments:
Jan, I think this post speaks an absolute truth. I've never heard that particular story but the concept is solidly grounded in Christianity. How much better our world would be if this were practiced worldwide. Have a great day today. DM
DM..yes, I know, which is why it is one of my favorite stories.
Unforgiveness is truly poisonous to one's very soul.
Without forgiveness to others, there is no forgiveness for ourselves..and no peace.
Too often we forget to be thankful for our blessigs, too.
This is a great story, Jan. Too often we are the other way and many kindnesses are forgotten while a small hurt is nourished and held in the heart. I've often wondered why that is, but it seems to be a part of human nature and we have to work to dismiss those hurts to focus on the good...strange..
"An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth!" I'm an Old Testament kind of guy. >:o
Jan- That was a wonderful story. I had actually heard it before. It was always my favorite. It would be wonderful if everyone would do exactly that. BUT I agree with Linda G. human nature, I guess, won't let us be that way. It would be like if you had a tree or bush and when you get home put your cares of the day on it, instead of taking it in the house. Wouldn't that be wonderful also!! :) I always love to read your blog. You have some absolute wonderful things to read. Thank you. I am so glad that we ran onto you, you really are an inspiration to all your friends. Have a good night. I am going to try and post tonight, BUT it won't be anything like this. Talk to you later, Roxi
A lesson well remembered. Thank you for sharing.
Linda..thanks for your comments.
Yes, the old human nature, as you said, causes much misery, but there is always hope for us, if only we are willing to believe it, and accept it.
Hermit..now why am I not surprised? LOL
Roxie..you are always much too kind in your comments to me, but thank you!
Yes, what you have suggested would be wonderful! :)
I'll be looking forward to reading your post!
Sue..I'm so glad you came by!
I hope you are well..I've missed you a lot!
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