12.20.2007

No knitting content - reflection on the season

In a certain town there lived a cobbler, Martin Avdeitch by name. He lived in a small basement room whose one window looked out onto the street, and all he could see were the feet of people passing by. But since there was hardly a pair of boots that had not been in his hands at one time for repair, Martin recognized each person by his shoes. Day after day, he would work in his shop watching boots pass by. One day he found himself consumed with the hope of a dream that he would find the Lord's feet outside his window. Instead, he found a lingering pair of worn boots belonging to an old soldier. Though at first disappointed, Martin realized the old man might be hungry and invited him inside to a warm fire and some tea. He had other visitors that evening, and though sadly none were Christ, he let them in also. Sitting down at the end of day, Martin heard a voice whisper his name as he read the words: "I was hungry and you gave me meat; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in. Inasmuch as you did for the least of these, you did unto me."
Story told in Leo Tolstoy's "Walk in the Light while there Is Light and Twenty-three Tales " (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2003)

I read in scripture that the 2 things most important to my Lord is to love God and to love my fellow man, and that by the fruit of my life you can tell who is Lord in my life. This season is a time of reflection for me. What is the fruit of my life? What kind of giving reflects true love?

2 Comments:

At 12/20/2007 , Blogger Jerry said...

From an outsider or an observer I see a cornucopia that you willingly share with compassion and humility. The fruit of your life is the love and guidance you give your children that one day they will pass on to their own, forever sharing your kind and gentle spirit with your fellow man. You’re courage to walk with the lord in a time where there is a lot of talk and little action. Your life is a living testimony to all that are blessed to know you. You don’t measure your life in physical accumulation, you look beyond to the eternal gift and for that you reap greatest harvest of all.

 
At 12/27/2007 , Blogger Donna D said...

Thanks for sharing those thoughts of the good of having compassion toward those we find around us every day. I had heard a similar story before but I didn't know that Tolstoy had written a version of this.

 

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