Lessons Learned

The following two stories have made the rounds on Facebook and this reporter would like to share them with those who haven’t seen them:

A good friend of mine unexpectedly lost her husband.  A couple of months later we were walking together, chatting about nothing in particular.  She asked what my dinner plans were and I told her that hubby wanted chili but I didn’t feel like stopping at the store to pick up some ingredients.  We walked a few more minutes when she quietly said, “Make the chili.”

It took me a few minutes to realize we were no longer talking about dinner.  It was about going out of your way to do something for someone you love because at any moment, they could unexpectedly be taken from you.

So today I’m sharing with you that wisdom handed to me by my dear friend that I’ve thought of many times since that day.  Next time someone you love wants you to go for a walk or watch a football game or play a board game, just put your phone down and give them your undivided attention.  Just do it!  Make the chili. Love deeply and selflessly.

A man was asked to paint a boat.  He brought his paint and brushes and began to paint the boat a bright red as the owner asked of him.  While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull and quietly repaired it.

When he finished painting, he received his money and left.  The next day, the boat’s owner came to the painter and presented him with a nice check, much higher than the payment for the painting of the boat.  The painter was surprised and said, “You’ve already paid me for painting the boat, sir!”

The man replied, “But this is not for the paint job. It’s for repairing the hole in the boat.” “Ah, but it was such a small service,” the painter replied, “certainly it’s not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”

“My dear friend, you do not understand.  Let me tell you what happened. When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole.  When the boat dried, my kids took the boat and went fishing, not knowing that there was a hole.  I wasn’t home at the time.  When I returned and noticed they had taken the boat, I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole.  Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.  Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole.”

“You see now what you did? You saved the life of my children! I do not have enough money to pay your ‘small’ good deed.”

SO, no matter who, when or how, continue to help, sustain, wipe tears, listen attentively, and carefully repair all the “leaks” you find. You never know when one is in need of us, or when God holds a pleasant surprise for us to be helpful and important to someone.  Along the way, you may have repaired numerous “boat holes” for several people without realizing how many lives you’ve saved.  MAKE A DIFFERENCE!