Reflections and choices?

Hello Friends & Family,

In light of our troubling times I wanted to share with you some of my thoughts on a Homily a Deacon from my parish taught, an E-mail I received from Diane (my sister-in-law) and a drawing I did a long time ago…

The Homily was the first of the three that came to my mind in recent days… Deacon Mike proceeded to teach after the readings of Holy Scripture about a young boy and his Grandfather. The young boy asked his Grandpa to tell him a story… He told the boy about the two wolves’s that lived and battled inside him…

One wolf was fear, hate, anger, jealousy, lust, laziness and bad.

The second wolf was love, peace, forgiveness, honor, trust, humility, assertiveness, encouragement and good.

At the end of the story the little boy who looked up to his Grandfather asked with all excitement. Which wolf won the battle?

The old man smiled at him and said: The one I feed!

The next story came from an email from my sister-in-law about Four wives.

Four Wives

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confident and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!", replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word..

Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave."

Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go."

The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body.

No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth.

When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends.

No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul

Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day: Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Lastly, I found a photo of a drawing I did 20 years ago which gave me pause to think on area’s of my life that I did not feed, or take better care of. My youngest (Matthew) doubted I drew it. Why is that? Because he does not see me feed this ability!

Although I recall I had abilities and choices 20 years ago, I cannot easily call upon those abilities or change bad choices.

I did not feed some abilities and poured effort into wrong choices. I simply neglected the Good Wolf or 1st wife. I often think of other abilities and choices I passed on in pursuit of appetites that are only for a moment.

I know times are troubling. My boys are going through difficult times as I am sure my brother’s children are. I pray they look within themselves and recognize the good wolf and feed it well so your soul will never be underfeed.

I love my family. I will feed my soul good food! What say you?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:5-10)