IT was a contest which offered a luxury sedan as a prize, and I thought, why not, wouldn’t mind getting one. Imagine my surprise when I opened the form and found the luxury car offered was the same model I was driving! I realized then that I was so busy trying to get better things I had not realized I should be spending time being thankful for what I already had!
Are you like me, then let us together be thankful for somethings we take for granted: Like a family who are there to welcome you every evening? Friends who are willing to take your moods and terrible nature at times? Or are we like the lawyer in this incident:
This successful lawyer parked his brand-new Porsche Carrera GT in front of the office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. He parked it, and as he parked it smiled indulgently at the envious stares he was getting from everyone. But as he got out, a truck came along too close to the curb and completely tore off the driver’s door. Fortunately, a cop in a police car was close enough to see the accident and pulled up behind the Porsche, his lights flashing. But, before the cop had a chance to ask any questions, the lawyer started screaming
hysterically about how his Porsche, which he had just picked up the day before, was now completely ruined and would never be the same, no matter how hard the body shop tries to make it new again. After the lawyer finally wound down from his rant, the cop shook his head in disgust and disbelief. ‘I can’t believe how materialistic you lawyers are,’ he said. ‘You are so focused on your possessions that you neglect the most important things in life.’’How can you say such a thing?’ asked the lawyer. The cop replied, ‘Don’t you even realize that your left arm is missing? It got ripped off when the truck hit you!’Are we like this lawyer or like the millionaire who was having a huge party, and when asked why he was having the party, replied that his Mercedes was involved in an accident the day before.
The people gasped and wondered whether the millionaire was mad, till he said, “The car was smashed, but the driver escaped unhurt, and the driver is me!” Now wasn’t that a good enough reason to rejoice?
Today I seem to be talking only about cars, but let’s move from these material possessions, to what we really need to be thankful for: Good health! A loving family! Friends! I’m certainly happy to have all the above, but what makes me most happy here on earth, is that I’m divinely loved and promised eternal companionship with God above, thereafter! Still crying over your Porsche?
—(bobsbanter@gmail.com)
