inspired

I was going through my Mom's desk drawers, and found some of my Grandad's old notes. I think he typed everything he referenced, either that or he underlined it in a book in red or blue pencil (I don't know what each color stood for). He was a minister, and I have many of his books and papers, all of which I hope to read some day. I figure if he read it, then it's worth reading (especially if it has his notes in it).

I came across this and wanted to share it with my fellow Blogger Moms...

A Little Parable for Mothers
by Temple Bailey

The young mother set her foot on the path of life.

"Is the way long?" she asked.

And her Guide said: "Yes. And the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed with them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and life was good. and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the Mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Oh, Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come," and the Mother said "This is better than the brightness of day, for I have taught my children courage."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the Mother was weary, but at all times she said to the children "A little patience, and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top, they said, "We could not have done it without you, Mother." And the Mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the stars, and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I give them strength."

And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth--clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the Mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the Light." And the children looked up and saw above the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them and brought them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the Mother grew old, and she was little and bent. But her hcildren were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their Mother, and when the way was rough, they lifter her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide.

And the Mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them.

And the children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And the stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said, "We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a Living Presence."
-----

As I reached the end, the story took on a different meaning. It wasn't just about what I want for my children... it was also about what my Grandmother was to me. The last few paragraphs personify her. She passed away 4 years ago on Christmas Day. She was 96 years old. She lived her life showing God's love not only to her own children (and grandchildren and great-grandchildren) but to all the children she came in contact with.

My Grandad passed away at Christmastime the previous year. He was a wonderful person who touched many lives, all around the world. I wish so much that I would have spent more time in conversation with him, and listened more closely to his sermons. He lived his life to be like Christ.

We all miss them both dearly, but find a joyful spot this time of year, when we can rejoice in all being together again someday!