Thoughts for another day

Dec. 4, 2012.

Today's verse: Ezek. 34:31. You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture and I am your God, says the Lord GOD. (NRSV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Natalie had just finished her breakfast: a small piece of bread and a cup of black tea.  The kids had left for school and her husband Mark had set off to look for work.  He was a casual laborer able to do only minor menial jobs after a fire had burnt his hand, ruining his career as an artist. The fingers with which he once wielded the brush were now a mass of bone and flesh.  Overnight, Natalie and he had been reduced to nothing; and with two little kids to feed, it was a nightmare.  Besides, she couldn't contribute anything to the expenses, being incapacitated with a problem neck that troubled her no end, bringing pain untold.  But somehow she managed to take care of the household. 

There was no help coming from anyone and as she pondered on their situation, looking at the sheer helplessness of it, she could hear herself praying, not that she believed in praying any more for the fire at their home five years ago which destroyed all they had, had shattered her belief in God.  She prayed, but now it was just out of a fear that if she didn't pray something more awful would happen.  Like every day, a few tears fell from her eyes; but today seemed a little different because her lips moved rather involuntarily saying, 'Oh God, if you really love me and remember me, send me and my family some help…'  The tears gushed out and soon she was sobbing miserably.  Then something happened: she saw a bright light. Petrified, she saw the figure of a man in that light. He said, 'Natalie, you are My sheep, the sheep of My pasture and I am Jesus Christ your Lord and God.  I remember you and here I have come to assure you that I will take care of you.  Fear no more!' 

And then the light was gone; it was like it hadn't happened at all.  She looked around nervously, startled when the bell rang.  It was the courier.  She quickly opened it as it wasn't one of those bills, the only mail they received these days.  Inside was a check with a small note: 'This is for the man who had once painted my wife's picture so lovingly.  She died last week and had willed this money to the artist who had been as a source of life for her and me with his beautiful art which kept her alive so long.' Mr Michael Manson.  Though she had heard of the Mansons, the billionaire family, she did not recall Mark ever mention of a Mr or a Mrs Manson. She looked at the check; the figure on it was $ 500,000; it was more than enough for Mark and her and their kids begin a new life.  She knew her family's life had changed and rushed to call Mark and tell him the news when her glance fell on the picture of Christ on the table.  In tears she remembered, ' you are My sheep, the sheep of My pasture and I am Jesus Christ; I will take care of you.'