“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” Abraham Lincoln
One day a very wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country for the sole purpose of showing his son how it was to be poor. They spent a few days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
After their return from the trip, the father asked his son how he liked the trip:
“It was great, Dad,” the son replied.
“Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked.
“Oh Yeah,” said the son.
“So what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon…”
“…We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others…”
“…We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless.
Then his son added, “It showed me just how poor we really are.”
Too many times we place value on the wrong things: materialism, credentials and money. However, the things with the most value have no monetary price: relationships, memories and love. “Poor” is the man who thinks he is rich and has no relationships.
Sometimes it takes the eyes of a child to remind us what’s important.
Blessings,
Kristen
Thank you for the beautiful post, Kristen. The innocence of a child, seeing reality for exactly how it is…being rich in the important things, seeing blessings in those things we take for granted every day. This post was a great reminder to count ALL of our blessings everyday, and to continue the fight to help others see them too. 🙂 For with God, all things are possible.
Thanks for the beautiful post, Kristen. The innocence of a child, seeing the realities of life. Seeing the richness in the things most take for granted everyday. This blog is a reminder to all of us to count ALL of our blessings each and every day, and to continue in the fight to help others see them too. For with God, all things are possible.
God Bless!!
This is filled with more wisdom then one realizes. Out of the mouths of babes
we so often hear wisdom of the ages. Thanks for the reminder my young friend.
You are one of the many treasures I am blessed with.
Loved it! What a beautiful perspective.
Well said! You are a blessing.
I Love how this story reminds us how rich we really are when we have the simple things in life, even if we don’t have a ton of money.
WOW. Kristen, You are a Brave and Strong Servant of God. THANK YOU for All you do at LIFE. You are a Huge Inspiration. Keep up The GREAT Work.
Be Blessed a Million.
Norman B.