[Faith-talk] {Spam?} The Wooden Bowl

[Paul Smith]

Hello my dear cyberspatial readers.  Hope your day is going well, by 
God's matchless grace and His providential care.

Here is a story of how a four-year-old boy, the grandson of the subject 
of this article, shamed his parents into including his grandfather to 
join them in family activities.  Read on to find out how he did it.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and 
four-year-old grandson.  The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was 
blurred, and his step faltered.  The family ate together at the table.  
But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating 
difficult.  Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.  When he grasped 
the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.  The son and daughter-in-law 
became irritated with the mess.

"We must do something about Grandfather," said the son.  "I've had 
enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.  There, 
Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.

Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a 
wooden bowl.  When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, 
sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.  Still, the only 
words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a 
fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.  One evening before 
supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the 
floor.  He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"

Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for 
you and Mama to eat your food when I grow up."

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.  Then tears 
started to stream down their cheeks.  Though no word was spoken, both 
knew what must be done.  That evening the husband took Grandfather's 
hand and gently led him back to the family table.  For the remainder of 
his days he ate every meal with the family.  And for some reason, 
neither husband or wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was 
dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive.  Their eyes ever observe, their 
ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they 
absorb.  If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for 
family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their 
lives.  The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are 
being laid for the child's future.  Let's be wise builders and role models.

Lord, we ask not that You move the mountains, but that You give us the 
strength to climb.  Life is about people connecting with people, and 
making a positive difference.  Take care of yourself, and those you 
love, today and everyday!

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens or how 
bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she 
handles threee things:  a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled 
Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, 
you'll mis them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same as making a life."

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt 
on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.  But, if 
you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work 
and doing the best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I 
usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.  
People love that human touch--holding hands, a warm hug, or just a 
friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Next Friday when I do my radio show, this will be the first article I 
read, and if I don't one of you will be sure to let me know and big time, too.

There is a verse in the book of Ecclesiasticus, one of the apocryphal 
or deuterocanonical Bible books, that goes something like this:  
"Kindness to an elderly person will not be forgotten by your heavenly 
Father." I can't find anything even remotely to match this one in the 
cannonical 66 books of the Bible.

And that will do it for today.  Don't forget that tomorrow, Lord 
willing, another post from the Museum of the Bible will be posted.  
Until then may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, 
individually and collectively, in these last days in which we live.  
Your Christian friend and brother, Paul