|
TAKE
CARE OF YOUR SOUL
Once
upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with
rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies.
He gave her nothing but the best.
He
also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing
her off to neighboring kingdoms? However, he feared
that one day she would leave him for another.
He
also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confident and
was always kind, considerate and patient with him.
Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide
in her, and she would help him get through the difficult
times.
The
King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made
great contributions in maintaining his wealth and
kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife.
Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice
of her!
One
day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short.
He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I
now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll
be all alone."
Thus,
he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the
most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered
great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you
follow me and keep me company? “No way!"
replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another
word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into
his heart.
The
sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved
you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow
me and keep me company? "No!" replied the
3rd wife. ?"Life is too good! When you die, I'm
going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned
cold.
He
then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned
to you for help and you've always been there for me.
When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I am sorry, I can't help you out this time!"
replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can
only walk with you to your grave?'' Her answer struck
him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.
Then
a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow
you no matter where you go." The King looked
up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny
as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly
grieved, the King said, "I should have taken
much better care of you when I had the chance!"
In
truth, we all have these 4 wives in our lives:
Our
4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and
effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave
us when we die.
Our
3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When
we die, it will all go to others.
Our
2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how
much they have been there for us, the furthest they
can stay by us is up to the grave.
And
our 1st wife is our Soul - often neglected in pursuit
of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However,
our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever
we go? Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for
it is the only part of us that will follow us to the
throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity....
Thought
for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to
your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.
Pass this on to someone you care about.
|