Things Aren't Always What They Seem

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied...

"Things aren't always what they seem".

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.

When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel "how could you have let this happen!? The first man had everything, yet you helped him," she accused.

"The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die."

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."

"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead."

"Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not know it until some time later.

Think about this:

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight; Just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic; don't despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; Think of the man who has been out of work for the last three months.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; Think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; Think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week, for $15.00 to feed her family.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; Think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; Think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering; what is life all about, what is my purpose? Be thankful, there are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be them!

Should you decide to send this to a friend; You might brighten someone's day!

Friendship

The price of friendship

If you want to know something about me without asking any questions, study my friends. The people with whom I choose to spend my free time, with whom I eat and laugh and cry -- those people are the mirrors of my soul. It's true: you really can tell a lot about a person by the company he keeps.

Now, if you choose friends the way I choose friends, there is no pattern or logic to it. I have friends who are unspeakably wealthy, and friends who are desperately short on cash. I have friends who do not vote for the political candidates I prefer, and friends who can finish my sentences if I pause to take a breath.

Friendships are made, not born

Friendship is a funny thing. We are all born into a family, but we grow into friendships. Members of your family may be your best friends. But if they are, I suspect it's more a matter of spirit than of blood.

Sometimes we lose touch with friends. We move away. We change jobs. Our lives take unexpected turns. Yet there is one friendship upon which every one of us may depend. It is a friendship which is available to all who will call upon the name of the Ultimate Friend.

The Ultimate Friend

That friendship is with Jesus, and the formula for that relationship is described in warm words in John 15:12-17. It's a friendship based on the greatest love of all. If you haven't experienced it -- and you should trust me on this, my friend -- you don't know what you're missing.

More Scriptures on friendship
Following the links below will take you straight to the Bible text:

Proverbs 17:9 -He who covers over an offense promotes love.
Proverbs 18:24 - A friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:5 - Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron...
Jeremiah 33:2-3 -Call and He will answer.
Ecclesiastes 4:10 -If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 -A description of love.
James 4:4 - Friendship with the world...

taken from www.gospelcom.net