This week immediately following our family breakfast I read a children’s book entitled, “It Could Always Be Worst.”
It is about a poor man that lived in a hut with his wife, mother-in-law and six growing children. Due to their tight living conditions they were frustrated with life and took it out on each other. So one Day the poor man when to the Rabbi and said I’ll do whatever you ask me to do, but please help us, we’re all going crazy! The wise rabbi asked it the man had any chickens and the man said yes, I have chickens, a rooster and a goose. Good said the Rabbi, go take all of your chickens, rooster and goose and put them in your hut! The man was a little hesitant, but he did. Now everyone in the hut was even more frustrated, including the chickens! So the poor man goes back to the Rabbi and shares that things are even worst then before and now feathers are getting in our soup! The Rabbi ask, do you have a goat. The poor man answers, yes we do. The Rabbi says, Go home and bring the goat into your hut. With much apprehention he goes home and brings the goat into the house. Now there is much more quarralling, feathers flying and now a butting goat! So he again goes to the Rabbi angry and up set. The Rabbi agains sends the man home telling him to bring his cow into the house! After doing everything the Rabbi has requesting…the hut is FULL and everyone is dissatisfied with life…so the poor man goes to the Rabbi expressing his explosive anger! Finally the Rabbi says, go home and take all of the animals out of your hut! The poor man returns home and takes all the animals out of his hut. That night everyone was satified with the small hut and small living conditions in the hut.
The implications are many, but the bottom line is…whereever you are in life, it could always be worst! Tough we may be stressed out, on top of deadlines, and in the middle of fragile relationships, each of us can find peace in knowing, “We are not alone.” God is with us, giving us His strength to see us through our difficulties.
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -Phillipians 4:11-13
