"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Saturday Meditations - something to think about . . .



A wise woman, traveling in the mountains, found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.

A few days later, the traveler came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said. "I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back to you in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone." Author Unknown

Is this not an amazing story and so deep if you think about it. I mean what would you do. My first thought is that I would never be bold enough to ask the woman for the stone.

However if I did - what would be more important - the stone - to where I could live the rest of my life confortably - not have to worry about money - bills - what I can buy and what I can't.

Would I sleep any easier at night? Would it be able to buy me better health? Would I be happier? Would I put it to good use and be responsible with it or would I waste it on silly things?

And would I actually bring it back and give it to her and ask her for the secret - how in the world did she give that valuable stone to me? She didn't ask for anything in return. She just gave it to me.

I have to say in all honesty - I don't think I would have given the stone away. I would have kept it - I have family that would depend on it. How could I give it away?

And if I did get it I probably wouldn't have given it back for the knowledge of what made her give it to me in the first place.

It must be trust of some sort.

What would you do?

“Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold. ” Judith Olney -

Love, chatty

25 comments:

nick said...

Today, people would just steal the stone and put in on eBay.

Melanie said...

That is a neat story, Sandie, but the picture of that eye is a little creepy.
I'm glad the man came back and was wise enough to realize the woman had something more valuable than the stone.

Southhamsdarling said...

I think you would have to be a very special person indeed to give the stone away like that. Not sure that I could have done it! By the way, there's an Award over at my Blog for you!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Thought provoking this morning Chatty!

Love Of Quilts said...

Fairy tells sound good. I wouldn't have GAVE IT AWAY.....being A WISE WOMAN. Most likely wouldn't have found it either. Trish

Sharon said...

Some deep thoughts on this one.

I'm sorry to say that I probably wouldn't have given the stone away. But would love to be the person that could do that.

Probably wouldn't have asked for it, either - but if I had received it, I think I just might have been intrigued and touched enough to wonder how someone could give something that valuable away.

Reminds me of Jesus - doesn't He hold the MOST precious and valuable gift for us? I wish more people asked for His gift, and then strived to be more like Him - the One who so generously gave His all, His life.

Blessings to you this weekend!

Unknown said...

oh sure make me ponder such a deep decision on a Saturday. i'm not sure what i would do. i would love to be able to say i would give the stone away to a stranger just for the asking but i just don't know.

Susan said...

ha ha ha ha ha Oh Sandie, Nick's comment cracked me up, especially since I just started sales on eBay! ha ha ha ha ha Now I know I wouldn't do THAT.

I would not be able to give away the stone. I might offer money for food to the person, once I sold the stone. But I'd have to think of my family first and all the help they need. Sorry. If I had a lot of money, THEN I'd give away the stone.

Good post, as always, Sandie. You are amazing. Susan

Doris Sturm said...

I would never ask anyone for a stone because I know it holds no power - the only power we ever possess (whether rich or poor) is within ourselves.

I might ask for a diamond if she didn't want it because I could sell it for cold hard cash and that would make my life a lot easier right now.

Doris Sturm said...

p.s. yes, the eye picture is rather creepy!

Jane said...

You know I wouldn't give the stone away! And if someone gave me the stone I would keep it! Don't I sound terrible? Well...just being honest ,lol. Blessings jane

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I probably would not have given it away but the ability to do that and is amazing.

Rae said...

I'm not lucky enough to ever own such a precious stone, so I don't have to worry about what I would do with it. Kinda like winning the lottery.

Cindy Caudle said...

I read some where or heard, or I could have made it up in my head, that if you give something away, it will come back to you 10 fold. I have been known to give things away that I have really loved or wanted to keep. Usually when I do that, I received back something that is better than what I gave. Have a bad headache so this makes since. Have a blessed Sunday.

MadSnapper said...

they were both very wise and solomon would have been proud of them. not sure i would have given it back, but it is a great story

Ginny Hartzler said...

Really good story! Well, I would NEVER have asked for it in the first place! But if I had it, it would mean freedom from worrying about bills and being in debt. He was very wise to come back to her because the bible says that wisdom is more oprecuious then jewels.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

It's called LOVE...always caring, always sharing!...:)JP

Angela said...

Hey Sandie!

First I was going to say how did you get a picture of my eyes but then I read a few comments where people said it was creepy and so I won't lay claim to that being my eyes! lol It is a little creepy though isn't it! lol

Hugs,
Angela

Kat said...

Neat story Sandie. I am having a giveaway on my blog which you might like. So stop by if you have a chance. Have a great weekend.
http://sweetkatskitchen.blogspot.com

Shanae Branham said...

Sometimes I look at the picture of Christ with the fishermen and I wonder what made his apostles leave everything they had and follow him. I also wonder if I could have done it or would I be like the rich man who asked the Savior, "Lord, I have lived a righteous life...I've done this and I've done that...what do I need to do to get into heaven." The Savior said, "Sell all that you have and follow me."
Tough question...you really did get me meditating. Your post worked! I am sorry I missed you as a new follower on my blog! I will make amends on Monday!

betty said...

I like that eye picture, Sandie. Since I don't know much about stones, I probably wouldn't have realized it was precious so I probably would have given it away, LOL. But in all seriousness, I'm not sure what I would have done. I would like to be like the lady and given him the stone, but yet again........now if the stranger had a little child with him and asked for the stone, I probably would have given it to them no questions asked. Interesting thing to ponder.....

betty

Shanae Branham said...

Back again to say "tag" you're it! And let you know how much you are loved even though I can be a total "ditz" sometimes! I totally agree with you about my daughter's lesson, it's just hard sometimes to sit back and watch her learn because I want the best for her. Thanks for your support.

LadyJane said...

Sandie I love this little story and it is great for self examination...hmmmm...what would I do? Well...after close examination of myself..It is not what I have that makes me who I am, it is what I have given and shared that matters,that is what people will remember.People envy objects one has,jealousy begins,stealing threatens your belongings..but no one can take your character and morals away it is forever ones most precious treasure! Hey girlie...pop over I posted yesterday!

Tanna said...

Puttin' us to thinking again, Sandie!! Hugs ~ Tanna

Anonymous said...

Easy ... give it away!

Love isn't love unless you give it away. Goes for everything in life even stones. EVERYTHING.

Love ♥ Carol