One of life’s most
important lessons is learning not to be selfish, that is to exemplify and
demonstrate genuine concern and empathy for the circumstances of others.
The following story by an unknown author aptly illustrates this principle.
My
mother occasionally asked me a mysterious question: “What is the most
important part of the body?” Through
the years I would take a guess at what I thought might be the correct answer.
When I was much younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I responded, “My ears, Mommy.”
She replied, “No, son. Many people are deaf and lead very positive and productive lives. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon.”
Several years passed before she asked me again. Ever since my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer.
So this time I told her, “Mommy, sight is very important to everyone, so it must be our eyes.”
She looked at me and told me, “You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind.”
Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, “No, son. But you are getting smarter every year, my child.”
Then last year, my grandfather died. Everybody was hurt. Everyone was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry. My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbyes to Grandpa.
She asked me, “Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?”
I was shocked when she asked me at that time. I always thought this was just a game between her and me.
She saw the confusion on my face and told me, “This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in your life. For each body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important life lesson.”
She looked down at me as only a mother can, and I saw her eyes well up with tears.
She said, “My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder.”
I asked, “Is it because it holds up my head?”
She replied, “No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or loved one when they are crying. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life. I only hope that you have enough love from your family and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on whenever you need it.”
Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is an instrument of compassion, and it is always sympathetic to the pain of others.
When I was much younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I responded, “My ears, Mommy.”
She replied, “No, son. Many people are deaf and lead very positive and productive lives. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon.”
Several years passed before she asked me again. Ever since my first attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer.
So this time I told her, “Mommy, sight is very important to everyone, so it must be our eyes.”
She looked at me and told me, “You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are many people who are blind.”
Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, “No, son. But you are getting smarter every year, my child.”
Then last year, my grandfather died. Everybody was hurt. Everyone was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry. My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbyes to Grandpa.
She asked me, “Do you know the most important body part yet, my dear?”
I was shocked when she asked me at that time. I always thought this was just a game between her and me.
She saw the confusion on my face and told me, “This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in your life. For each body part you gave me in the past, I have told you were wrong and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you need to learn this important life lesson.”
She looked down at me as only a mother can, and I saw her eyes well up with tears.
She said, “My dear, the most important body part is your shoulder.”
I asked, “Is it because it holds up my head?”
She replied, “No, it is because it can hold the head of a friend or loved one when they are crying. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life. I only hope that you have enough love from your family and friends that you will always have a shoulder to cry on whenever you need it.”
Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is an instrument of compassion, and it is always sympathetic to the pain of others.
Always
remember to forge intimate connections along life’s journey, and never forget
to be there in someone’s hour of need.
Sisters and
brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE
READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.
Maranatha!
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