Think on This!

A desperate farmer once went to see his rabbi. “Rabbi,” the farmer began, “I need help!” “What is the problem?” the Rabbi asked. Quickly the farmer explained how he was going crazy in his small house with all the commotion and noise. After all, he had a talkative wife, three rowdy boys and a baby girl who cried non-stop! The Rabbi thought for a moment and then asked the harried farmer if he had a chicken. “Of course,” the farmer responded. “I have a whole flock of chickens.” “Well, then,” said the Rabbi, “Go bring one of the chickens in the house.” So the perplexed farmer went home and did as the Rabbi suggested.

Early the next morning, the farmer was pounding on the Rabbi’s door. “Rabbi, I did what you suggested. Now things are worse than before!” After stroking his beard, the Rabbi then told the farmer to go home and bring his goat in the house. Since the Rabbi was a man of great wisdom, the farmer went home and brought his goat in the house.

Just after sunup the next day, the farmer was once again pounding on the Rabbi’s door. Again he expressed to the Rabbi that things were far worse now that the goat was in the house (along with the chicken, talkative wife, three rowdy boys and one crying baby girl). After a thoughtful pause, the Rabbi told him to go home and bring in his donkey. More confused than ever, yet knowing the Rabbi was a man of great wisdom, the poor farmer went home and pulled and yanked and pulled and yanked and finally got the donkey into his house.

The next day BEFORE dawn, the farmer was once again pounding on the Rabbi’s door. “Rabbi, I did all you have told me to do. I brought in the chicken, the goat, the donkey – and things are worse than they have ever been!” The Rabbi sighed and looked toward heaven. Then he told the farmer to go home and take the donkey and the goat and the chicken and return them to their proper place. Wearily (and now wondering if this Rabbi was a man of great wisdom) the farmer went home and did as the Rabbi suggested.

Around mid-morning on the following day, the farmer returned once again to see the Rabbi. “Rabbi, I must thank you for what you have done for me. The peace and quiet of my home is truly an amazing gift! Thank you!” Leaving a basket of eggs, bread and cheese with the smiling Rabbi, the happy farmer returned home to his talkative wife, three rowdy boys and baby girl who cried non-stop.

The moral of this story? No matter how bad you might “have it” – it could always be worse!

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Philippians 4:11).

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj