A long time ago,
there was a man
named Ephraim
who always tried
to help others.
He was nice and
helpful but was
always ridiculed
by everybody.
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People thought
it was strange
the way he
behaved because
he would always
do what others
asked of him
without
complaint.
When his wife
asked him for
something he
could have done,
although it was
not his duty, he
would solve the
problem,
silently.
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When someone at
work would tell
him off for not
carrying out a
certain service,
which was
actually someone
else's, he would
not argue. With
good will, he
would take the
hoe and do the
job, leaving
everything
finished.
If someone asked
him to clear the
yard, even
though it was
not his duty, he
would agree and
spend the day to
get it tidy and
beautiful.
And so it always
was, without
this man
complaining
about anything.
One day, as
Ephraim was
felling a tree
at someone's
request, Joshua,
a friend, came
up to him and
asked:
- Ephraim, why
do you do all
what people ask,
even if it is
not your job?
And often, with
no charge?
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Ephraim, tired,
dropped the axe
at his feet, sat
down in the
shade of the
beautiful tree,
took a breath
and replied:
- Joshua, I
think we should
always help
others in their
needs. What if
it were me that
was in need of
help? Thus I'd
rather be the
one that helps
so that I am not
the one who asks
for help.
- But why? Don't
you like to be
helped?!...
|
 |
Ephraim thought
for a moment and
stated:
- Joshua, our
Master Jesus,
when He was here
on earth, at a
certain occasion
taught us that
anyone who
wishes to be
first among all
should be the
servant of all.
Because Jesus
came not to be
served but to
serve. So, with
Jesus, I'd
rather be in the
position of the
one who helps
instead of the
position of
those who
receive help.
Get it?
Joshua, who had
listened
attentively to
Ephraim's
response,
nodded:
- Jesus is
right. If we are
working we are
well. When we
need help it is
a sign that we
are not well,
whatever the
situation.
- And the Master
also clarifies
it by telling us
to put ourselves
in the person's
shoes. So
looking at a
needy brother, I
think: would I
like to be in
his place? No.
So, let us be
the friend who
help, lest we
are tomorrow in
need of help.
Joshua smiled
and thanked his
friend Ephraim
for the
explanation. He
left the tent
that sheltered
them, seeking
the fresh
country air.
Before long,
remembering what
he had heard
from Ephraim,
Joshua was
surrounded by a
certain feeling
of intimate
dissatisfaction
as he remembered
how he had acted
with one of his
employees.
Ashamed, he
looked for the
servant and
found him with a
hoe in hand,
revolving the
land.
Approaching him,
Joshua
considered:
- Justin, the
other day I
treated you
badly because of
a nonsense. I
called you lazy
and said that
you do nothing
and I'm sorry.
You're still
very young, you
are learning to
work and I have
been told that
you are sick. I
sought more
information and
have been told
that you feel a
lot of pain and
therefore cannot
work. Then, I
thought about it
and until you
get better you
do not need to
come to work.
Take some time
off.
- But, boss...
- Do not worry,
Justin. Come
back when you
are well again!
The worker's
eyes glistened
with tears that
did not get to
fall. He
approached his
boss and said:
- God bless you,
sir! Once I am
well, I will
continue my job.
Do not worry.
You will not
lose any money,
believe me!
 |
They said
goodbye and
Joshua, spurring
his horse, took
his way home. He
felt a great joy!
That simple
attitude that he
had taken had
given him peace
of heart.
Indeed, to put
himself in
Justin's place
had made all the
difference,
leading both
parties to a
feeling of
well-being and
satisfaction.
Happy, Joshua
returned to his
home, where the
peace and love
of |
|
his family
enveloped him.
He remembered
the Master of
Nazareth and
knew that He had
helped him in
the decision. |
Then, he knelt
on the floor and
thanked Jesus,
from the bottom
of his heart,
for the inner
enlightenment he
had been given.
MEIMEI
(Psychographed
by Celia X. de
Camargo on
08/12/2014.)
