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Celebrating the Joy of Living & Home Making ~

Baking, Cooking, Decorating, Tea Time, and taking Inspiration from those I love and the world around me...

A sharing of my heart and my home from a Christian perspective

...with a wee bit of whimsy added.

Saturday 18 April 2009

Spiritual Sundays ~ Change Your Thinking!


Hello Friends. I received a short story through email this past week and thought I would share it with you. You may have read this before but I think it is worth a second read! It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, and where they had both been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while the children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every colour and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks, and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

"Today is a gift, that is why it is called the Present."

When I read this story, I cannot help but think of the scripture verse from Philippians 4:8 - "Whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy, think on these things."

The scriptures also tell us that there is life and death in the power of the tongue! We have the power to make someone else's life better just by having a good attitude!

Let's have an attitude of gratitude and be a blessing to others!

I pray you were encouraged today and I hope you will go visit Spiritual Sundays for a wonderful array of devotionals and stories. Just click on the Spiritual Sundays button on my sidebar.

The Lord be with you & bless you!

18 comments :

  1. I love that story, I've read it many times, I don't think I will ever get tired of reading it.

    What we think and what we speak is just so powerful.

    Thank you Sandi for encouraging me with the beauty of you!
    Hugs
    Melly:)

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  2. How encouraging. Although I knew the minute I started reading that I had read it before, I read each word slowly. What a wonderful, encouraging message. Your words added a lot and made me think. Thank you for posting.

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  3. Wow Sandi, this really made me cry. I had not read it before and I'm so glad you shared it.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  4. Hi Sandi,
    This is one of the most inspirational stories that I have ever read! Philippians 4;8 is one of my favorite scriptures. Thank you for sharing,
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  5. What a beautiful story....It was very encouraging...Have a wonderful Sunday..Julie

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  6. What a wonderful story! I have never heard it before.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  7. I had not heard that story before and I have goosebumps after reading it. How beautiful it is. Thank you for such a gorgeous and inspiring post today. ♥

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  8. Beautiful example of an encourager at work. Thanks for sharing. Happy Spiritual Sunday.

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  9. Sandi... I'd read this story a long time ago... and I enjoyed reading it again today as much as I had enjoyed it the first time around.

    blessings. Dixie

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  10. What a powerful story! Attitude is everything isn't it. A great illustration of a servant's heart!

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  11. I love that story. I've read it before and I also never tire of reading it. It sends such a beautiful message of inspiration. Every time I do read it, I get a BIG SPIRITUAL BOOST! Thanks for sharing.

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  12. This one really makes you take a look at your attitude. I love it, too!

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  13. Sandi, I had never heard that beautiful and uplifting story, and appreciate so much you sharing it with us.

    Thank you for your gracious note about my post for today. I'm so glad it led me to your inspiring "Rose Chintz Cottage."

    I'll be back to visit again.

    Sincerely,

    Janie

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  14. Hi Sandi..this is not an unusual amount of time to wait for a parcel from the US. It usually takes a while. It makes the anticipation even more wonderful. Love Marilyn xoxox

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  15. I have also read it before, but I continued to read it to the end, and it had the same effect on me as the first time! This is a story of unconditional love, the ailing man forgot his problems and set out to help his roommate.

    Thanks for the encouragement.

    Katherine

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  16. Hi Sandi,
    I have heard this one before. It is so powerful! It really is all in the way we CHOOSE to view the life God has given us isn't it?

    Thank you for sharing this today -
    Blessings,
    Kymber

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  17. I really enjoyed reading your post, thank you for visiting my blog and leaving comment. I love comments! Happy Blue Monday. Mary :O)

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  18. Sandi, I love this story! What a lesson for us is hidden in this story. Thank you for posting.
    Blessings,
    Cheryl

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I am delighted to have you visit me and I read every comment. Please forgive me for not being able to visit you all as there are so many of you lovely bloggy friends now. I will visit as much as possible. I wish you a day filled with JOY!

Also, due to the amount of spam I've been getting, I have had to set Comment Moderation. ~ Sandi

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