Praying for rain
It is my personal observation that the keys to living a happy and
fulfilling life don't have to be learnt as we grow up. They were simply
"unlearnt" as we grew up.
All we needed to find peace and joy in life we possessed as children.
But as we grew up, the increasing demands, prejudices, and social
conditioning of this world robbed us of our natural aptitude for
living.
Things like faith, unconditional love, the enjoyment of simple things,
an innocent playfulness - these things are gradually eroded from our
consciousness until finally we lose sight of them forever. This is
called adulthood.
In these days of life-altering sciences, mindless idolatry, dizzying
technology, and soulless media, children are in increasing danger of
losing their natural zest for life, love, and hope at an earlier age.
It has become more imperative than ever to ensure that children are
allowed to develop their inherent faith and love for innocence and
nature. At the same time, we should constantly and consciously strive
to learn from children, the things that make their lives carefree and
happy. The things we have simply forgotten.
A story by Laverne W. Hall tells of a town ravaged by a severe drought?
The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops lay
wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched
the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain
came.
The ministers of the local churches called for an hour of prayer on the
town square the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring
on object of faith for inspiration.
At high noon on the appointed Saturday the townspeople turned out en
masse, filling the square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The
ministers were touched to see the variety of objects clutched in
prayerful hands ... holy books, crosses, rosaries.
When the hour ended, as if on magical command, a soft rain began to
fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high
in gratitude and praise. From the middle of the crowd one faith symbol
seemed to overshadow all the others.
A small nine-year old child had brought an umbrella.
Children know that happiness, faith, and love are not to be found in
objects like money, crucifixes, and expensive presents.
The amazingly simple and absolutely profound things that children are
capable of are easily observable, if only you allow yourself to see
them.
Story by Laverne W. Hall
It is my personal observation that the keys to living a happy and
fulfilling life don't have to be learnt as we grow up. They were simply
"unlearnt" as we grew up.
All we needed to find peace and joy in life we possessed as children.
But as we grew up, the increasing demands, prejudices, and social
conditioning of this world robbed us of our natural aptitude for
living.
Things like faith, unconditional love, the enjoyment of simple things,
an innocent playfulness - these things are gradually eroded from our
consciousness until finally we lose sight of them forever. This is
called adulthood.
In these days of life-altering sciences, mindless idolatry, dizzying
technology, and soulless media, children are in increasing danger of
losing their natural zest for life, love, and hope at an earlier age.
It has become more imperative than ever to ensure that children are
allowed to develop their inherent faith and love for innocence and
nature. At the same time, we should constantly and consciously strive
to learn from children, the things that make their lives carefree and
happy. The things we have simply forgotten.
A story by Laverne W. Hall tells of a town ravaged by a severe drought?
The fields were parched and brown from lack of rain, and the crops lay
wilting from thirst. People were anxious and irritable as they searched
the sky for any sign of relief. Days turned into arid weeks. No rain
came.
The ministers of the local churches called for an hour of prayer on the
town square the following Saturday. They requested that everyone bring
on object of faith for inspiration.
At high noon on the appointed Saturday the townspeople turned out en
masse, filling the square with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. The
ministers were touched to see the variety of objects clutched in
prayerful hands ... holy books, crosses, rosaries.
When the hour ended, as if on magical command, a soft rain began to
fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high
in gratitude and praise. From the middle of the crowd one faith symbol
seemed to overshadow all the others.
A small nine-year old child had brought an umbrella.
Children know that happiness, faith, and love are not to be found in
objects like money, crucifixes, and expensive presents.
The amazingly simple and absolutely profound things that children are
capable of are easily observable, if only you allow yourself to see
them.
Story by Laverne W. Hall