There's a story about an old grandfather clock that had stood for three
generations in the same corner of a room, faithfully ticking off the
minutes and hours, day after day. In the clock was a heavy weight that
was pulled to the top each night to keep it running.
Then one day the clock was sold, and the new owner noticed the heavy
weight. "Too bad," he said, "that such an old clock should have to bear
so great a load." So he took the weight off the chain. At once the clock
stopped ticking.
"Why did you do that?" asked the clock.
"I wanted to lighten your burden," said the man.
"Please put it back," said the clock. "That's what keeps me going!"
Most people are looking for an easy way through life. They think that if
they had no burdens they could live pleasantly and triumphantly. They
don't realize that the Gods often keep us going spiritually by the weights
that seem to pull us down. Trials can give our feet spiritual traction.
Our burdens not only bring us blessing in this life, but throughout
all our lives to follow.
One day at a time, and the day is Their day:
They have numbered its hours, though they haste or delay,
Their attention is sufficient; we walk not alone;
As the day, so the strength that They gave to Their own!
THE HEAVIER THE LOAD, THE BETTER THE TRACTION.
© 1997 silverphoenix@cybergal.com
