O Lord, may loving be my reason for living. I ask that You warm my heart, soften my rigid walls and bend my pride. AMEN
A Point to Ponder...
Happiness is never stopping to
think if you are.

Thanks to Sherry Kersey for this story. The beginning may leave you bewildered but hang in there and it will get you in the end. There is nothing like an story that makes your hearers wonder if you've gone mad and then wows them with a great point.

"A Story Of Four Wives"
Once upon a time...there was a rich King who had four wives.
He loved the fourth 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 third wife very much,
and he was always showing her off to
neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared
that one day she would leave him for
another. He also loved his second wife.
She was his confidante and was always
kind, considerate, and patient with him.
Whenever the King faced a problem,
he could confide in her to help him
get through the difficult times.

The King's first 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
and 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 pondered, "I now have
four wives with me, but when I die,
I'll be all alone. Thus, he asked the
fourth 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?" "Absolutely not!" replied the fourth 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 third wife,
"I have loved you all my life. Now that
I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No," replied the third wife.
"Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to
remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the second 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'm sorry, I can't help you out this time,"
replied the second wife."At the very most,
I can only send you to your grave."
Her answer came like a bolt of thunder,
and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out. "I'll leave with
you and follow you no matter where you go."
The King looked up, and there was his
first wife. She was so sad and thin, she
looked half-starved. Greatly grieved, the
King said, "I should have taken much better
care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have four wives in our lives:
Our fourth wife is our body. No matter how
much time and effort we lavish in making it
look good, it'll leave us when we die.

Our third wife is our possessions, status,
and wealth. When we die, it will all go to
others. Our second 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 first wife is our soul, often
neglected in pursuit of wealth, power,
and pleasures of the ego. However, our
soul is the only thing that will follow us
wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen,
and cherish it now! It IS your
greatest gift to offer the world.