From Bill— How do we develop the eulogy virtues or the Christ-like virtues. I read a great book called “Chop Wood Carry Water”. In it the author tells of a young man seeking to learn the art of Samurai archery from a master. For the first several years his job, to his sadness, was only to chop wood and carry water at the masters house. When the day finally came to try archery he was told to stand a few feet away from the target and practice the draw for hours on end. There was no great revelation from the master. He decided to quit and told the master he was frustrated at never learning to shoot the bow and arrow as the Samurai could. The master finally placed him far away from the target. The young boy, to his happy surprise, drew the powerful bow back easily and aimed with muscle imbedded precision. He found that he had great strength and great skill borne of chopping wood and carrying water and practicing process. The message? Are you saddened by events in life? Do you believe that pain, suffering and boredom are a curse? Perhaps not, if your goal is to become like The Master, ask if during those experiences you developed eulogy traits like Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, meekness, self control. If so, you have been blessed, not cursed. It is in the valley that we look up. “It was good that I was afflicted…”. Love Mel
