This weeks inspiration story

 

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 eye sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon and 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, the 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 in when I grow up, and you come to live with me" 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 nor 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.

ANOTHER LITTLE STORY I LIKE.

A quiet forest dweller that lived high above an Austrian village in the Alps was hired by a town council to keep the pristine mountain springs --- the source of the town's water supply --- clear of debris. With faithful regularity, the old man patrolled the hills; clearing away silt and removing leaves and branches from the springs.  Over time, the village became prosperous.  Mill wheels turned, farms were irrigated, and tourist came.  Years passed.  Then at a council meeting about the city budget, a member noticed the salary figure for the old man.  He asked, "Who is he and why do we keep him on the payroll?  Has anybody seen him?  For all we know, he might be dead?"  The council voted to dispense with his services.

For several weeks nothing changed. Then the trees began to shed their leaves.  One afternoon, a town citizen noticed a brown tint to the water.  Within another week, a slick covered sections of the canals, and a foul odor was detected.  Sickness broke out.

The town council called a special meeting, and reversing their error in judgment, rehired the old man.  Renewed life soon returned to the village as the sparkling waters returned.

Not everyone's job will make the six o'clock news every day, but no matter where God places you, do your work unto Him, and He will reward you for your faithfulness.   

Thank you for taking a few minutes to read some of our Chairman's favorite little stories or nuggets as he likes to call them (nugget: anything of great value, significance, or the like: nuggets of wisdom) that he has read over the years. He makes no claims other than he has read these stories and enjoyed and is passing them on to you. ENJOY!