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 steps 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 Grandpa". 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, Grandpa ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandpa had broken a dish or two his food was served in a wooden bowl. Whe the family glanced in Grandpa'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 scrapes 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 Grandpa's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with his family, and for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
"Lord, we ask not that you move the mountains, but that You give us the strength to climb." "Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference". |
