A Candle

Selfishness

 
In Africa they have a special way of capturing monkeys. These wary little animals are very fond of rice. In order to capture them, local farmers put some rice inside a hollow coconut shell, into which they have cut a hole just large enough for the monkey's hand. Half a dozen traps like this are left lying around in the center of the village. But each one is attached by a string to a nearby house. A family of monkeys comes up, attracted by the smell of rice. Each slips its hand into a shell to get a handful of rice. But with its hand full, it is unable to remove it. The hunters then approach and easily gather in their prey. If the monkey would only let go of the rice, it would be able to get away from the trap that had been set for it. But it likes rice too much to give it up - even at the risk of life.

How true it is, that the hand which is closed cannot receive - even freedom 

 

A Candle

 
One evening a man took a small candle from a box and began to climb a long winding stairway. "Where are we going?" asked the candle. "We're going up higher than a house to show the ships the way to the harbor." "But no ship in the harbor could ever see my light," the candle said. "It is so very small." "If your light is small," the man said "just keep on burning brightly and leave the rest to me." When they reached the top of the long stairs, they came to a large lamp. Then he took the little candle and lit the lamp. Soon the large polished mirrors behind the lamp sent beams of fight out across the miles of sea.

We are God's candle. Our job is to keep on shining. The success of our work is in His hands. A tiny candle or match can start a forest fire. The little flame of your good example can actually change the lives of others without you knowing it. Be a light to them like the beacon light in the story which guided the ships to safe harbor. 

 

The Family Bible

 

One day the pastor was trying to test little Anna on her religious knowledge. So he began by asking: "Do you attend Sunday school regularly?" "Oh, yes, father," she answered. "And you know your Bible?" "Yes, father." "Could you perhaps tell me something that is in it?" "I could tell you everything that's in it," said the little girl. "Indeed!" the priest smiled. "Do tell me then." "Well my sister's boyfriend's photo is in it," said Anna. "And my mother's recipe for cake is in it, and a lock of my hair which they cut off when I was a baby... and there's the guarantee to Dad's watch..." Question: Were these items in the family Bible because everyone was using it regularly? Or because it was never used, and so they were safe there?