Try Saying `Thank You'
SANT RAJINDER SINGH
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God once sent two angels to earth to gather the prayers of humanity . The first angel was asked to collect prayers that were essentially requests from people asking God for something. The second angel was asked to collect all the prayers of thanksgiving. The two angels agreed to meet in a month with their collections.The first angel collecting prayers that appealed to God for something became extremely busy . Several baskets were needed to hold the prayers: asking for money , health, car, jewellery and clothing. Some prayed for a spouse, for children, or for better relationships. There were so many such prayers that the angel had to obtain several vans to cart them.
Meanwhile, the second angel travelled far and wide looking for prayers of thankfulness.Several days went by with hardly a prayer of gratitude heard. A month later, the two angels returned to God. The angel collecting prayers for requests was laden with many baskets.The angel collecting prayers of thankfulness had a small amount compared to the prayers requesting things.
The story illustrates the human condition. Many of us request others to do things for us, but how many of us thank them? Let us thank God for the many gifts we have received: for our birth, health, food, clothing, shelter and for our families. Let us also thank God for our education and for our jobs.However, let us not thank God merely with words but with deeds, by leading lives of nonviolence, truthfulness, purity , humility and selfless service.
Meanwhile, the second angel travelled far and wide looking for prayers of thankfulness.Several days went by with hardly a prayer of gratitude heard. A month later, the two angels returned to God. The angel collecting prayers for requests was laden with many baskets.The angel collecting prayers of thankfulness had a small amount compared to the prayers requesting things.
The story illustrates the human condition. Many of us request others to do things for us, but how many of us thank them? Let us thank God for the many gifts we have received: for our birth, health, food, clothing, shelter and for our families. Let us also thank God for our education and for our jobs.However, let us not thank God merely with words but with deeds, by leading lives of nonviolence, truthfulness, purity , humility and selfless service.
