Travel Norway
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Quotes & Things David Collins |
How Will He Know?
A great famine came upon the land, compelling many to make the long journey to the kings palace to beg for enough food to sustain them through the judgment that had come upon them. However, the king had decreed that only the righteous should be sustained.
Dikaios, his wife, and their ten children were severely affected by the famine, to the point that they could last no longer than three days. Having little choice, Dikaios determined to journey to the king’s palace in the hope of obtaining mercy from the king.
Dikaios set off wearing his only coat to protect him from the cruel winter wind, a half loaf of bread to sustain him on the day’s journey, and one penny. “But how will the king know if I am righteous?” he wondered.
As Dikaios traveled along the road, he came across a man sitting by the roadside, shivering as the cold wind blew. “Here, take my coat and be warmed,” and he gave him his coat. Yet a little further, he came across a man seeking food for his children. “Here, take this crust and give to your children,” and he gave him bread. Yet a little further, he came across a beggar. “Here, take this penny and buy food,” and he gave the man his last penny. The king’s palace was now in sight and Dikaios wondered again, “How will the king know if I am righteous?”
At the king’s palace, Dikaios was led into the king’s court with his head bowed to the ground; for he judged himself not worthy to look at the kings face. “My lord, I care not for myself but for my wife and children who are near to death. I beg you, great and merciful king, let me die but send sustenance to my family.” The king answered, “You and your family will surely live and prosper for you are indeed a righteous man.” “But,” inquired Dikaios, “how do you know these things?” “Look up at me Dikaios,” the king ordered. Dikaios looked up and there stood the king wearing his coat, and in his right hand he held a crust of bread, and in his left hand he held a penny. (Inspired by Matthew 25:31-40)
John is a man who loves gardening; he never seems to talk about anything else day and night. I have never known much about gardening myself but it seemed obvious to me that John knew more than any man about the art of gardening.
While at John’s house one day, and while he was out of the room, I started to browse through his rather large collection of books. Yet not one book on gardening, how strange! After dinner, I asked if I could take a look at his garden. “Yes.....of course,” he said, rather reluctantly.
John’s garden was a disgrace! The grass came up to my knees, the borders looked like they had never been dug over, there were no flowers, and the only tree in the garden was a dead one. How strange! At the end of the garden was rather old rickety shed. I opened the door and looked inside. There was an old rusty ironing board, a sun bed, an unopened tin of 3-in-1 oil, and a bag of empty whiskey bottles in the corner. No gardening tools, how strange! (Inspired by James 2:14)