ChristiansUnite Forums

The Wooden Bowl

(Author Unknown - Email Circle)

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 sight made eating difficult.  Peas rolled off his spoon 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 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."  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 or wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life".

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.

But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch - holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about.

I just did.

__________

In Christ,
Tom
 

Yep, that's for sure.

That story always gets to me!  :'(
I know it makes a good point but it's still so sad that so many treat our elderly that way in real life!

Reminds me of a time that one of mine was a baby and we were sitting in a Burger King. There was a baby at a table close by and the baby kept reaching for the salt and the mom kept slapping the baby's hand. This went on for some time and I just kept thinking: MOVE THE SALT!   :-[

Sorry... babies and the elderly are a weakness of mine!

Oklahoma Howdy to Sincereheart,


Me too, I have a soft spot in my heart for them because many of them are almost helpless. You would not believe the real life things that happen to many of them. The things I remember are so heartless a pack of dogs would have been more kind. Add starvation, imprisonment, physical abuse, torture, maiming, psychological abuse, and murder to the list for an idea. I would not be talking about isolated cases.

This old world has gotten pretty cruel and heartless.

In Christ,
Tom

Doesn't it break your heart? And make you mad?  :-\

We start off helpless as infants and end up helpless as elderly- and those that mistreat either seem to forget that they start off the same and have a good chance of ending up the same.

I've only seen a little of the elderly abuse - and it's too much! As for the abuse of children, well... I've dealt with too much!
 :'(

Yes, this world has gotten pretty cruel and heartless!

The wife of a relative of mine had a stroke, and he told the nurses to withold food until she died. And that's precisely what they did.  >:(

And this was supposed to be an upstanding Christian.

Hmmm, I'm not so sure its a "recent" cruelty either...maybe we notice it more now, with so many of us being well-off (not rich, but not starving.) It seems that, in a country so plentiful, abusive behavior shocks us; with such blessings, you'd think folks'd want to be gentler.  :'( So much for high ideals!

Oklahoma Howdy to All,

Maybe we can all try harder in 2004 and make this a kinder and more gentle place, one that would honor Christ and bring more sheep to HIS flock.

In Christ,
Tom