The secret of happiness

"He that has contentment in his heart is always a feast." Proverbs 15:15

Sometimes it is the children who teach us. This story is a good example.

Find your eyes and your child's heart and see how important it is to appreciate what you have

One day, the father of a very wealthy family takes his son to the country to show him how poor people live. They spend a few days at the farm of a family that does not have much to offer them.

On his return, the father asks his son :

"Did you like your stay ?

It was fantastic, Dad !

Have you seen how poor people live ? Asks the father again.

Ah yes ! Answers the son.

So what did you learn ?"

The son answered : "I saw that we had only one dog, whereas they have four. We have a pool, which is half the garden, and they have a large creek. We have lanterns in our garden and they have stars all over the sky. We have a huge gallery in front, and they have the horizon. We have a domain, but they have fields as far as the eye can see. We have servants, while they serve others. We buy our produce and they grow it. We have walls around the property to protect us while they have friends who protect them."

The father remained silent. The son added : "Thank you Daddy for showing me everything we do not have."

The heart of this child is simple. He is not filled by the earthly possessions. On the contrary, he finds treasures in possessing little. How much you and I need this mentality ! Too often, we forget what we have to mourn over what we do not have. And this unbridled race towards an umpteenth possession makes us all the more dissatisfied !

What is a worthless object for someone may very well be a treasure for another. It's just a matter of perspective. What perspective do you want to adopt from today ?

 An encouragement for today

Learn to appreciate what you have. Find your eyes and your child's heart and see how important it is to appreciate what you have rather than worry about what you do not have. Like this child, you will then turn to God and you will say to him : "Thank you Daddy for telling me to be happy with what I have."

Eric Célérier

Source (The Thought of the Day)