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Sunday, January 17, 2010

Charity

What is the difference between heaven and hell?  asked the student.  "In hell," said the teacher, "all the people are gathered around a big table filled with food.  They can smell the food and touch the food and hold the food, but they cannot bring the food to their mouths because their arms are stiff and their elbows are locked."
"Yes, that is hell," said the student.  "And what is heaven like?" 
"In heaven," said the teacher, "all the people are gathered around a big table filled with food.  They can smell the food and touch the food and hold the food, but they cannot bring the food to their mouths because their arms are stiff and their elbows are locked."
 The confused student asked, "So what's the difference between heaven and hell?" 
"In heaven," the teacher answered, "the people learn to feed each other."

This parable has been told in numerous ways but with the same outcome.  We must help each other if we want to be happy.  The blessings come to us and to those we help as we reach out to one another. 
The situation in Haiti is devastating and heart wrenching. It's hard to see pictures of the suffering and grief etched on the faces of the Haitian people.  There are opportunities to assist financially but if that's not possible, praying for those people will bring succor from a greater source. 
We usually don't have to look much further than our own home, neighborhood, or community to offer relief.  At times we will be the ones to be fed by others, other times we will be the ones to feed.  
Let us remember - "Charity Never Faileth."

17 comments:

Tracy said...

Great food for thought!!

Kristina P. said...

Thank you, Connie!

Julie P said...

Oh, this is so good! This morning when I was praying, I asked "how can my little prayer be enough for all of them?" And I don't know how, but I do know that He is there with those who are suffering and hears all of us praying for them.

Camille said...

Great parable! Keep things like this on your blog and I won't feel like I'm missing out on anything from RS when I'm spending so much tme in Primary! :)

wendy said...

very good parable indeed. WHERE would any of us be without each other

gigi said...

I do love this great reminder to us all and no matter how you tell the story I always love it.

Julie Harward said...

AMEN SWEET SISTER! WE ARE THINKING ALONG THE SAME LINES (SEE MY POST) I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT THE LITTLE CHILDREN OF HAITI...GOD BLESS THEM! I JUST PRAY THAT ANGELS HERE AND FROM HEAVEN ARE WITH THEM AND HELPING THEM! COME SAY HI :D

Valerie said...

Thanks Connie! Beautiful words and a great reminder of our responsibility to love, serve and pray. We never know when we will be on the giving or the receiving end. :)
There is great and mighty power in prayer.

Sondra said...

This weekend we enjoyed our Stake Conference. It was about having a mighty change of heart, missionary work and being a better friend. This story reminded me of the wonderful experiences shared about families execpting the gospel and temple ordinances which all started from friendships (and the Holy Ghost). Most of the dear stories came from our ward - as we have experienced many miracles and special experiences. That is the best blessings that knit people together - through the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful weekend....AND I loved the story. I hope I can be a great friend and make it to heaven :-D

Ann Marie said...

Well said my friend! XO

Yvonne said...

Thanks for the post.

At a recent fireside, our speaker told us that it is in the interruptions in our lives that we truly learn to serve. He urged us to pray to be sensitive to the Spirit so that these moments do not pass us by.

Christy Burnett said...

Thank you for sharing that.

Together We Save said...

Beautiful thought!!

Small House said...

Oh so true!
Sandra

Jenny said...

Just a few days before Haiti suffered so greatly, our elementary school started a service project to collect items for hygiene kits. The children of our school are eager to help in any way possible.

Kimmie said...

I have never heard that parable before. What a true thing it is that it really is Heaven on Earth when you look around and see so many people helping each other out.

We have been both the recipient and givers of this kind of service.

Yes, 'Charity Never Faileth"! Thanks for the positive post today!

Valerie said...

I love that parable!! I would love to use it at Girl's Camp this summer. Thank you for your wise thoughts!