(A Sufi Story)
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit.
The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs asked him, “Why did you continue jumping. Didn’t you hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story holds two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.
The power of words… it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.
Blessed are those who will take the time to encourage another.
– Feel invited to read James 3, 4-11
– Enjoy taking some time in silence, exploring the memories, anecdotes and wisdom the two previous readings brings to
– Be welcome to thank God praying aloud voice with words of Beauty , Tenderness and Love
PRAYER
A torch in the darkness,
a staff during my weakness,
a rock in the weariness of life,
You, my Master, make earth a paradise.
Your thought gave me unearthly joy,
Your light illuminated my life’s path,
Your words inspire me with divine wisdom.
I follow in your footsteps,
which lead me to the eternal goal.
Comforter of the broken-hearted,
support of those in need,
friend of the lovers of truth,
blessed Master (…)
(Hazrat Inayat Khan, Sufi prayers )
