By Tim
Ousley
Once upon a time, there was a man who
lived with his wife, two small children, and his elderly parents in a tiny hut.
He tried to be patient and gracious, but the noise and crowded conditions wore
him down.
In desperation, he consulted the village
wise man. "Do you have a rooster?" asked the wise man.
"Yes," he replied.
"Keep the rooster in the hut with
your family, and come see me again next week."
The next week, the man returned and told
the wise elder that living conditions were worse than ever, with the rooster
crowing and making a mess of the hut. "Do you have a cow?" asked the
wise elder. The man nodded fearfully. "Take your cow into the hut as well,
and come see me in a week."
Over the next several weeks, the man - on
the advice of the wise elder - made room for a goat, two dogs, and his
brother's children.
Finally, he could take no more, and in a
fit of anger, kicked out all the animals and guests, leaving only his wife, his
children, and his parents. The home suddenly became spacious and quiet, and
everyone lived happily ever after.
At times, we all struggle with our
particular situation in life. If you will just give it a little time, it will
change. And by-the-way, it could certainly he worse. A good beginning point is
Matthew 6:25-34.
Source:
Church of
Christ, Mission, Texas, April 7, 1996, p. 1.
