Surfing Wisdom
Photo taken 9th November 2005 by Roger
Yet another “gem” I found whilst surfing the net. I thought I would share it with you…..
I dreamt I had an interview with God. “Come in,” God said. “So, you would like to interview Me?”
“If you have the time,” I said.
God smiled and said: “My time is eternity and is enough to do everything; what questions do you have in mind to ask me?”
“What surprises you most about mankind?”
God answered:
* “That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
* That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.
* That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future.
* That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived…”
God’s hands took mine and we were silent for a while and then I asked…”As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons you want your children to learn?”
God replied with a smile:
* “To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved.
* To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives.
* To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. All will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis!
* To learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.
* To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.
* To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
* To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.
* To learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
* To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally differently.
* To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them…and likes them anyway.
* To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to forgive themselves.”
I sat there for a while enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for his time and for all that He has done for me and my family, and He replied, “Anytime. I’m here 24 hours a day. All you have to do is ask for me, and I’ll answer.”
People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did,
but people will never forget
how you made them feel.
~ Source Unknown ~
Well, here I am! Forty something and still with so many lessons yet to learn… Thank goodness we have a 24 hour help hotline that’s all I can say ‘cos I need as much help as I can get!!!
[…] « Positive Thoughts Alarm Bells Some of the thoughts in this post over at Barbara’s really hit home with me today. I don’t often take time to reflect on p […]
Pingback by Staple Diet » Blog Archive » Alarm Bells — Thursday 10 November 2005 @ 10:27 am
Hi Barbara!
I’ve read this post and am going to snatch it for my own little file of worthwhile stuff! By the way, Roger’s photos are consistently pleasing! What beautiful countryside!
Comment by Carol-Ann — Thursday 10 November 2005 @ 10:47 am
Yes, beautiful picture.
There’s a year of sermons in that post.
Comment by Julana — Thursday 10 November 2005 @ 4:35 pm
So true. Kids want to grow up, but they’ve got what we want. Simplicity.
Comment by Darlene — Thursday 10 November 2005 @ 5:11 pm
Hi Ian, Glad if I can have helped put things in perpective for you.
Carol-Ann,
Definitely food for thought. Roger is pretty clever with that camera and we have lots of lovely countryside round here so we are very blessed.
Julana,
Yes, plenty of Sunday’s worth of sermons in that lot
Darlene,
Simplicity is something that we can all yearn for in this comlicated world.
Comment by Barbara — Thursday 10 November 2005 @ 9:36 pm
Amen Sista, amen! Preach on!!! Thanks for the kind words at my blog today. I have missed you so much. It’s nice to be back in touch. I feel like you’re a great friend, the kind you can just pick back up where you started from, and that’s a great feeling! Hope you have a blessed weekend!
Love ya,
Comment by Paula — Friday 11 November 2005 @ 1:34 am
Hey there Barbara! What a wonderful reminder that God is always there and always listening!
I pray daily for each blessing I see, sometimes it’s as simple as the blue sky! Hope you’re weather has dried out some! Your country side looks beautiful.
Comment by Sheryl — Friday 11 November 2005 @ 1:49 am
You confused me for a second- “England- surfing?” And here I thought I was savvy.
Comment by Nettie — Friday 11 November 2005 @ 6:15 am
Paula,
Hello to you too and I know just what you mean - I missed you too…. Hope to sleep much at the weekend!
Sheryl,
Yes, we need to remember our blessings -and the simple ones are usuallly the best. And we are blessed with our surroundings.
Nettie,
We do surf in Wales (or I should say - Owen does) - but not usually in November. I shall stick to the internet kind - much warmer and drier!
Comment by Barbara — Friday 11 November 2005 @ 8:21 am
What a timely message. Thank you for this window into your soul. I’m glad I found you… I’ll be back!
Comment by gr8in98 — Friday 11 November 2005 @ 7:28 pm
gr8in98,
Hello and welcome. Please feel at home and visit whenever you can… Lovely to meet you.
Comment by Barbara — Saturday 12 November 2005 @ 3:48 am
Hi Barbara: Thank you, my dear friend, for your support and prayers over this week - I could feel your concern from across the ocean! This was a beautiful picture and sentiment.
Enjoy your sleep this weekend!!
Blessings to you and yours.
Comment by Valerie — Saturday 12 November 2005 @ 4:03 am