God's gift of grief

Why do You torture me so? When will You ever let my hardships end? When will my endless suffering abate? Why am I so tortured?

"But, my child, I have given you everything you want. Why are you tortured so?"

Because, God... Oh wait, God, while you are here I want to thank you for my parents. My parents are such beautiful blessings. Thank you, God, for these wonderful gifts. Thank you for their wit and their charm. Thank you for their health. I will cherish them with every breath I take, and forever be grateful and indebted to You.

"You are most welcome, my child. But, please tell me - why are you still tortured so?"

Because, God... Oh, and God? I wanted to thank you, again! Thank you for the food on my table, and the roof over my head, and these many precious moments of my life. My life has never been better!

"You are welcome, my child. But, please, please, tell me - why are you tortured so?"

Because, God... My dear God? Are You still there? Good. I thought You might have left me. I want to thank You for this most latest blessing. This wonderful new man You have placed in my life. How did You know, God, that we would be so perfect for each other? How did you know that the time was finally perfect in both of our lives...that the time was right for us to meet?

"I know everything, my child. And you are most welcome. Thank you for your patience. But, please, please, tell me why you are still tortured so."

Because, God. I am tortured so because...because now that I have no worries, no griefs, no more battles to fight, and no more strife, I am tortured by the 'peace'. It is unnerving, baffling, and uncomfortable. Tell me God, how can I stop this endless torture and relax in my joy and the gifts You have bestowed upon me? Tell me, my dear God. When will my torture end?

"My dear child, don't you know that I send you 'grief' as my biggest gift to you? So that you may have sight to appreciate my other gifts to you? So that you may rejoice in the glory and not be blinded to your blessings. So that you may feel these gifts that I give you?"

Oh, thank You, God! I understand fully now! Of all my blessings, my torture is truly my biggest blessing from You, for without it I would not know of all my many other blessings!

Thank You, God!

Thank You for the gift of grief!

Don't Rely on Religion

I am not saying religion is bad.

When it turns men and women inward and helps them realize that they are great... that there is an ocean of love and silence deep within the heart, then it is useful.

But where it divides people against one another, where one person is led to believe that he is saved and another is damned, or where it leads a person to believe that true happiness will be found only in an afterlife, then it is harmful.

Each life on Earth is very precious.

It is a wonderful thing to be alive.

Old Love

The question is asked, 'Is there anything more beautiful in life than a boy and a girl clasping clean hands, and pure hearts in the path of marriage? Can there be anything more beautiful than young love?'

And the answer is given.

'Yes there is a more beautiful thing. It is the spectacle of an old man and an old woman finishing their journey together on that path. Their hands are gnarled, but still clasped. Their faces are seamed, but still radiant. Their hearts are physically bowed and tired. But still strong with love and devotion for one another.

Yes, there is a more beautiful thing than young love --- old love.