Every Kindness is Rewarded

Ahmad the shepherd was very sad. He had lost almost everything he owned during the terrible years of war.

His wife had died and he had also lost his son.

When he lost his job in town, he began to work as a shepherd in the countryside.

One day, as his sheep grazed near the road, he saw a group of people taking a young man to the hospital in town.

It was obvious that this young man was even poorer than him. He was shivering in his thin jacket.

Ahmad the shepherd immediately took off his own coat, which he had owned for years, and put it on the young man. As the young man was waiting in the hospital to be examined, he was surprised to hear someone calling him “Dad.”

He looked up but he couldn’t recognize the young man standing in front of him. The latter, who had called him dad, was surprised as well. He apologized, saying, “I’m sorry, sir. I had mistaken your coat for my father’s, whom I haven’t seen for many years. I thought you were my father.” The sick man asked him who his father was. After talking for a few minutes, he realized that the young man was the

How true is the saying of our beloved Prophet, “Every kindness will be rewarded tenfold.”

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

The Thorn..

Once upon a time there was a terrible punishment under way in a certain country.

They were feeding the criminals to the hungry lions. People would gather to watch this horrifying scene.

The criminal that day was a slave who had escaped from his owner. He was left in the middle of an arena surrounded by high walls. They let a hungry lion into the arena.

At first the lion got ready to pounce on the poor man, but suddenly it stopped and started to lick the slave’s hands! The spectators were astonished.


They asked the slave why the lion had not attacked him.

The slave said: ”One day, I saw this lion in the forest. A thorn had lodged itself in its paw, and it was in great pain. I pulled out the thorn and since that day we have been good friends.”

People got touched by this story. They set both the lion and the slave free. To the people’s amazement the lion was following the slave as if it was his pet cat.

“God shows his mercy to those who are merciful. Have compassion to creatures on earth so that those in heaven may have mercy upon you.”

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Pray first

Three Bullets

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat.

He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner.
As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away.
Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.
The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.
A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused "

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill.
He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused.
So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed , then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey.

The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.
Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God.
Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, "the past " very day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can bear.

Do not look to man for your blessngs, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor.

Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Digging A Way Out

Digging A Way Out
There's a man who has been by himself in a prison cell with a dirt floor, crude stone
walls, and there's two windows one of which looks out towards the ocean. All of the sudden, he hears a scratching noise, and he looks down at the ground that is furthest away from the window facing the ocean. He sees the ground moving, and he starts to think he's losing his mind. But soon the ground breaks, and up pops a head with long hair and a beard... it's a prisoner.

And the prisoner says "Sssh. Listen. A group of us have been tunneling for about
six years, and we've finally reached your cell. We have ways to cover up my entrance into this, but now it's all on your shoulders, man. All you have to do," he said while pointing out the window towards the ocean, "you just start digging here and go down about six feet and about 75 feet in that direction and there is freedom, and we're outta here!"
"Oh, I love that! That's great; I want to be free!"

"Okay, I'll check back with you in a few weeks."

Two weeks later, the pops back in to check on his friend's progress, and his friend nods
back with great affirmation. "Yeah, I've done it."

So the man who was providing the instructions pops down the hole, and two seconds later
pops right back up and says, "What have you done?!?!?"
"Huh?"
"I told you to dig in the direction towards the OCEAN! This tunnel that you dug
goes back under the wall and into the prison yard."

"Well, the digging was easier in the other direction..."

Reflection:
In your life right now, what is one way you are digging in the "easy" direction?
How might your life be different if you were to dig towards the metaphorical "ocean"?
What tools or resources would enable you to dig in the direction of the "ocean" more often?

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

The Sormy Ocean

Swamiananda, and his disciple Ranga, were strolling on the beach by the ocean. It was a cold day and the wind was blowing strongly over the ocean, raising very high waves.

After walking for some time, Swamiananda stopped, looked at his disciple and asked:
"What does the choppy ocean remind you?"

"It reminds me of my mind. Of my rushing and restless thoughts", answered Ranga.

"Yes, the stormy ocean is like the mind, and the waves are the thoughts. The mind is neutral like the water. It is neither good, nor bad. The wind is causing the waves, as desires and fears produce thoughts", said Swamiananda.

"I wouldn't want to be on a boat, in the middle of the ocean, in a storm like this", said Ranga.

"You are there all the time." Responded Swamiananda and continued, "Most people are on a rudderless boat in the middle of a choppy ocean, even if they do not realize it. The mind of most people is very restless. Thoughts of all kinds come and go incessantly, agitating the mind like the ocean's waves."

"Yes", Ranga interrupted him, "You don't have to tell me. This is the reason I am with you. I want to calm down the waves of my mind."

Swamiananda looked at Ranga for a while, smiled and said:
"You don't calm the ocean by holding the water and not letting it move. What is necessary is to stop the wind. The wind is made of your thoughts, desires and fears. Don't let them rule your life. Learn to control them by controlling your attention, and then the ocean of your mind becomes calm."

"And how do I do that?"

"Suppose it is possible for the ocean to disregard the wind, what would happen then?" asked Swamiananda.

"The waves would cease. However, no one can stop the wind."

Swamiananda looked at him with a mysterious smile and said:
"Why not? The wind, the ocean, and thoughts are all within the mind. When you can control the mind, you can control everything within it. But first you have to control your mind, which means you have to control your attention."

"Yes master", said Ranga, " this is what I am trying to do. You say whoever controls his mind can also control the wind. Can you do that?"

"First learn to calm down the ocean of your mind, and then find out if you can calm down the ocean. It is better to learn to control the mind, than enjoying mental tricks. When you calm your mind, you can calm down everything."

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

The Elephant and the Fly

A disciple and his teacher were walking through the forest. The disciple was disturbed by the fact that his mind was in constant unrest.

He asked his teacher: "Why most people's minds are restless, and only a few possess a calm mind? What can one do to still the mind?"

The teacher looked at the disciple, smiled and said:
"I will tell you a story. An elephant was standing and picking leaves from a tree. A small fly came, flying and buzzing near his ear. The elephant waved it away with his long ears. Then the fly came again, and the elephant waved it away once more".

This was repeated several times. Then the elephant asked the fly:
"Why are you so restless and noisy? Why can't you stay for a while in one place?"

The fly answered: "I am attracted to whatever I see, hear or smell. My five senses pull me constantly in all directions and I cannot resist them. What is your secret? How can you stay so calm and still?"

The elephant stopped eating and said:
"My five senses do not rule my attention. Whatever I do, I get immersed in it. Now that I am eating, I am completely immersed in eating. In this way I can enjoy my food and chew it better. I rule and control my attention, and not the other way around."

Upon hearing these words, the disciple's eyes opened wide and a smile appeared on his face. He looked at his teacher and said:
"I understand! If my five senses are in control of my mind and attention, then my mind is in constant unrest. If I am in charge of my five senses and attention, then my mind becomes calm".

"Yes, that's right", answered the teacher, " The mind is restless and goes wherever the attention is. Control your attention, and you control your mind".

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

The Lion And The Mouse

Lion lay asleep in the forest, his great head resting on his paws. A timid little Mouse came upon him unexpectedly, and in her fright and haste to get away, ran across the Lion's nose. Roused from his nap, the Lion laid his huge paw angrily on the tiny creature to kill her.

"Spare me!" begged the poor Mouse. "Please let me go and some day I will surely repay you." The Lion was much amused to think that a Mouse could ever help him. But he was generous and finally let the Mouse go.

Some days later, while stalking his prey in the forest, the Lion was caught in the toils of a hunter's net. Unable to free himself, he filled the forest with his angry roaring.

The Mouse knew the voice and quickly found the Lion struggling in the net. Running to one of the great ropes that bound him, she gnawed it until it parted, and soon the Lion was free. "You laughed when I said I would repay you," said the Mouse. "Now you see that even a Mouse can help a Lion."

And The Moral Of The Story Is ...
A kindness is never wasted.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

The Fox and The Goat

A Fox fell into a well, and though it was not very deep, he found that he could not get out again.

After he had been in the well a long time, a thirsty Goat came by.

The Goat thought the Fox had gone down to drink, and so he asked if the water was good.

"The finest in the whole country," said the crafty Fox, "jump in and try it. There is more than enough for both of us."

The thirsty Goat immediately jumped in and began to drink. The Fox just as quickly jumped on the Goat's back and leaped from the tip of the Goat's horns out of the well. The foolish Goat now saw what a plight he had got into, and begged the Fox to help him out. But the Fox was already on his way to the woods.

"If you had as much sense as you have beard, old fellow," he said as he ran, "you would have been more cautious about finding a way to get out again before you jumped in."


And The Moral Of The Story Is ...
Look before you leap.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Before you allow a thought

THE RIPPLES
A man was sitting by a lake. He was throwing small pebbles into it from time to time. A young boy happened to cross by.

He was intrigued to see that after every few minutes or so, the man would toss a pebble into the
lake. The boy went up to the man and said, "Good pastime, this stone throwing, he?" "Hmmm," said the man.

He seemed to be deep in thought and obviously did not wish to be disturbed.
Sometime later, the man said softly, "Look at the water, it is absolutely still." The boy said, "Yeah, it is." The man tossed a pebble into the water and continued, "Only till I toss a pebble into it now do you see the ripples?" "Yeah," said the boy, "they spread further and further." "And soon, the water is still again," offered the man.

The boy said, "Sure, it becomes quiet, after a while." The man continued, "What if we want to stop the ripples? The root cause of the ripples is the stone. Lets take the stone out. Go ahead and look for it." The boy put his hand into the water and tried to take the stone out.

But he only succeeded in making more ripples. He was able to take the stone out, but the number of ripples that were made in the process were a lot more than before.

The wise man said, "It is not possible to stop the movement of the water once a pebble has been thrown into it. But if we can stop ourselves from throwing the pebble in the first place, the ripples can be avoided altogether! So too, it is with our minds. If a thought enters into it, it creates ripples.

The only way to save the mind from getting disturbed is to block and ban the entry of every superfluous thought that could be a potential cause for disturbance. If a disturbance has entered into the mind, it will take its own time to die down. Too many conflicting thoughts just cause more and more disturbances. Once the disturbance has been caused it takes time to ebb out. Even trying to forcibly remove the thought may further increase the turmoil in the mind. Time surely is a great healer, but prevention is always better than cure."

Before you allow a thought or a piece of information to enter your mind, put it through the triple filter test of authenticity, goodness and value.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

It is better to have a little

Two robbers were crossing a dense forest. On the way they saw a cave. Inside the cave, they found a vast collection of jewellery. It was a treasure house of other robbers. They decided to steal the treasure, but could not find suitable bags or sacks to carry the jewellery. So one of them went to the neighbouring village to fetch sacks and food. The other robber guarded the cave.

The first man collected food and sacks from the village and returned with food for his friend.

On the way he thought that if he could kill his friend, he could have the whole treasure for himself. So he poisoned the food for his friend.

The other man also made a similar plan to kill his friend when he arrived with food.

The second robber hid himself and when his friend arrived, he sprang out of the bushes and killed him. Overjoyed at the idea of owning the whole treasure, he ate the food brought by his friend, not knowing that it was poisoned. Soon the second robber also fell down dead. Thus both of the greedy robbers lost their lives.

"It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income gained dishonestly {Proverbs 16: 8}. Jesus taught us, "Do not store up riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, store up riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal"[Matthew 6:19, 20}.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Are we stepping-stones or stumbling-blocks

Three lizards were resting upside-down sticking to the roof of a room. One of them fell down accidentally. A few seconds later, the other two lizards also fell down. Why? This is a silly question often asked to kids to entertain and enlighten them. The expected funny answer is as follows: The lizard is held tightly to the supporting surface even against gravity by operating the special structure of the palms. On seeing the fall of their friend, the two lizards laughed at him and enjoyed his fall by clapping their hands. This abolished their contact with the roof and they fell down flat!

Crabs captured from water are often transported in open cages. A lid is not needed, as any crab trying to rise to the top to escape will be quickly caught and dragged back to the bottom by the other crabs in the cage.

How do we react when others fall or try to rise? Are we stepping-stones or stumbling-blocks for the progress of others? Jesus taught us the language of love for inter personal relationship, communication and evangelization. Even the blind, the deaf and the mentally retarded can perceive love.

In the book of Genesis, we read that Cain killed his brother. God asked Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain answered, “I don’t know. Am I supposed to take care of my brother?” (Genesis 4: 8,9.).

Like the Good Samaritan, let us render a helping hand to the helpless people around us. Otherwise we will be cursed like Cain.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Dont Worry About Present Predicament

A fashionable lady entered a footwear store in search of a pair of new sandals for her use. She tried every sample available in the store but none of them seemed to suit her feet. Disappointed, she was about to leave the store when she noticed a pair lying near the entrance. She put them on and was delighted to find that the pair suited her perfectly. She enquired about its price. The manager told her, "It is free. You can use them".

The lady was surprised and asked, "Why?"

The manager said, " That was the pair you had on your feet when you came in. You removed them to try the new sandals."

We may be in a similar situation when we worry about our present predicament on seeing better options elsewhere. We may feel that we should have received a more rewarding job, a more comfortable house, a more beautiful spouse etc. Let us realize that God has given each of us the best gifts that suit us most. Let us thank God for the blessings received.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

The Mighty Milo

Milo of the ancient city of Kroton, a Greek colony of Southern Italy, was a legendary wrestler with extraordinary strength, who won the Olympic wrestling championship six times between the years 540 to 516 B.C.

While he was a boy, his father gifted a newborn bull calf to Milo. He used to lift up the calf in his arms and carry it on his back everyday. Since it grew up only gradually, Milo did not notice the change in its weight. He continued the exercise everyday and his strength grew along with his calf. He could easily lift it in his arms even when it grew into an adult bull. This enabled him to become an athlete of unparalleled strength and stamina.

The story of Milo's successful training teaches us a lesson in spiritual development. We can gain the power to resist great temptations if we practice resisting minor temptations of life regularly and constantly with the power of prayer and faith in God's infinite grace {Hebrews 4:15, 16}. God will grant us the strength to endure temptations {1 Corinthians 10: 13, 1 Peter 5: 8-10}. St. James advises, "Submit to God. Resist the Devil, and he will run away from you"{James 4:7}.

The pretty, smooth and round pebbles found near waterfalls are formed by years of slow, natural grinding and polishing. Similarly, our wilful and prayerful resistance to even minor temptations gradually reforms our character and leads to a life of spiritual strength and moral maturity.

St. Paul advises, "Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of His mighty power. Put on all the armour that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks" {Ephesians 6: 10, 11}.

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THE FOX AND THE STORK

The Fox one day thought of a plan to amuse himself at the expense of the Stork, at whose odd appearance he was always laughing.
"You must come and dine with me today," he said to the Stork, smiling to himself at the trick he was going to play. The Stork gladly accepted the invitation and arrived in good time and with a very good appetite.
For dinner the Fox served soup. But it was set out in a very shallow dish, and all the Stork could do was to wet the very tip of his bill. Not a drop of soup could he get. But the Fox lapped it up easily, and, to increase the disappointment of the Stork, made a great show of enjoyment.

The hungry Stork was much displeased at the trick, but he was a calm, even-tempered fellow and saw no good in flying into a rage. Instead, not long afterward, he invited the Fox to dine with him in turn. The Fox arrived promptly at the time that had been set, and the Stork served a fish dinner that had a very appetizing smell. But it was served in a tall jar with a very narrow neck. The Stork could easily get at the food with his long bill, but all the Fox could do was to lick the outside of the jar, and sniff at the delicious odor. And when the Fox lost his temper, the Stork said calmly:

Do not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand the same treatment yourself.Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Practice what You Preach

A boy was diagnosed to be diabetic. The Doctor gave a strict instruction that he should not eat sweets or sugar. His mother tried to persuade the boy to stop the practice of eating sweets. But she failed. So she took the boy to a saintly priest who was respected and obeyed by all.

She requested him, "My son is diabetic. Kindly instruct him to stop the dangerous habit of eating sweets and sugar." The priest asked her to return with the boy after two weeks and promised that then he would give the necessary instructions to the boy.

The mother was surprised but followed the directions. She returned with the boy after two weeks. The priest issued a stern warning and the boy readily agreed to follow the order. Later, out of curiosity, the mother asked the priest why he did not give the instruction during their first visit.

"That is simple", he said, "When you came to me on the first day, I myself was in the habit of eating sugar and sweets. Unless and until I change my habit and practice this myself, how can I ask another person to follow my instruction?"

The story reminds us that example is better than precept. An ideal leader is one who "knows the way, shows the way and goes the way." A preacher who has the habit of smoking does not have the authority or credibility to ask others to quit the habit.

Society needs credible leaders who practice what they preach.

St. Paul advises, "Put into practice what you learnt and received from me, both from my words and from my actions" {Philippians 4: 9}.

St. Paul says, "Imitate me, then, just as I imitate Christ" {1 Corinthians 11: 1}

Jesus said," I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you" {John 13: 15}. Jesus warns against the teachers of the law and the Pharisees, "So you must obey and follow everything they tell you to do; do not, however, imitate their actions, because they don't practise what they preach {Matthew, 23: 3}.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Choose your allies carefully

A Mouse who always lived on the land, by an unlucky chance, formed an intimate acquaintance with a Frog, who lived, for the most part, in the water.

One day, the Frog was intent on mischief. He tied the foot of the Mouse tightly to his own. Thus joined together, the Frog led his friend the Mouse to the meadow where they usually searched for food.

After this, he gradually led him towards the pond in which he lived, until reaching the banks of the water, he suddenly jumped in, dragging the Mouse with him. The Frog enjoyed the water amazingly, and swam croaking about, as if he had done a good deed.

The unhappy Mouse was soon sputtered and drowned in the water, and his poor dead body floating about on the surface. A Hawk observed the foating Mouse from the sky, and dove down and grabbed it with his talons, carrying it back to his nest. The Frog, being still fastened to the leg of the Mouse, was also carried off a prisoner, and was eaten by the Hawk.

"Choose your allies carefully"Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

The parable of the eagle

The eagle is used as a model in the Bible to teach God's loving care for man. The eagle is a symbol of authority, beauty, care and strength. It has several unique features and practices. The female eagle chooses her mate only after he succeeds in a test of skill to recover the stick she drops down from different altitudes. This skill is essential in teaching the eaglets to fly. Eagles are completely committed to their mates and remain together till death.

After marriage, the eagle-couple work together and build a nest at a high altitude, inaccessible to other birds. The eggs are laid on soft and warm bedding. She pulls out soft fur from her own breast to adorn the bed. The baby eaglets enjoy the fine rest in the nice nest. When the eaglets reach a suitable age, the mother, with her wings as a broom sweeps out the soft things from the nest to make it hard. Later the eaglet is carried out of the nest, resting on her wide wings, into the open air. Without a notice, she flips over and drops the eaglet free in the air. The eaglet tries its best to fly and stay in the air. The father watches the training with deep concern. If an eaglet falls down tired, the father will quickly fly down and support it on its wings before it hits the ground. Gradually the training succeeds and the eaglets learn to fly and live independently.

God, like the eagle, may stir our nest and remove the comforts. He may drop us so that we may learn to survive. We need not fear as He is always near, ready to support us in every fall.

The parable of the eagle teaches us to face the trials of life with firm faith in God's infinite love and mercy {Hebrews 12:6-11}, {Proverbs 3:11,12}, {Job 5:17,18}.

In the song of Moses recited to the Israelites {Deuteronomy 32:11}, we read, "Like an eagle teaching its young to fly, catching them safely on its spreading wings, the Lord kept Israel from falling."

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Death always appears unexpectedly

There is a story about a person who was afraid of death. He spent a long period in prayer and penance to please God. Then God appeared before him in a dream and asked his wish. He prayed to deliver him from death. God answered that death was inevitable for man and so this prayer could not be granted. He then requested God to give him a clear warning before his death. God agreed and vanished.

Overjoyed, he started to lead a life of leisure and sinful pleasures, hoping to turn to God as soon as God issues a warning about impending death. In course of time, his hair became grey, skin got wrinkled, health deteriorated and his teeth were lost. Still he continued his sinful ways.


Finally at the moment of death, he had a vision of God, ready to declare his death and judge his deeds. The man complained, "Why didn't you warn me earlier? You have not kept your word!"

God replied, "I gave you a series of warnings - your greying hair, wrinkling skin, failing health and falling teeth were the warning signals of an imminent end. But you ignored the warnings. Now you have to meet your fate."


Death often appears unexpectedly. At every moment of life, we must be prepared and ready to meet and greet death as a friend.

"You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life: then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?"{Luke 12:20}. Let us save our riches in heaven. {Luke 12:33}

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Then I'm coming with you

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the sixteenth President of U.S.A, was a great philanthropist and champion of human rights and dignity. His long struggle against slavery led to the amendment of the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States of America. He was assassinated in 1865.

There is a popular legend about his early days. Once, Abraham Lincoln happened to see a slave auction. He was disgusted by the sights and sounds of buying and selling of human beings in public. He saw a young woman displayed for sale as a slave. Her eyes were filled with contempt on everyone around her. She showed signs of the intense sufferings she encountered throughout her life. When the bidding began, Lincoln offered a bid for her. He countered others' bids with larger amounts until he won. He paid the auctioneer the money and took title to the young woman. She stared at her new master with hatred. She asked him what he was going to do with her. Lincoln told her, "I'm going to set you fully free. You can say and do whatever you want and go anywhere you wish to." She was hearing such kind words for the first time.
"Then I'm coming with you!" she said with a smile.

Man was under the slavery of sin. Jesus redeemed us and made us God's children {Galatians 4: 3-5}. Jesus provides true and complete liberation to man. St. Paul says, "Freedom is what we have - Christ has set us free! Stand, then, as free people, and do not allow yourselves to become slaves again" {Galatians 5:1}.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You

Help every one you come across

Mr. George. C. Boldt reached USA as a poor immigrant from Europe. He did humble jobs in different hotels. In recognition of his honesty, hard work and dedication, he was raised to the level of manager in a hotel in Philadelphia.

On a cold, raining and stormy night, an enormously wealthy man, Mr. William Waldorf Astor visited the hotel with his wife and requested a room for the night. All the rooms in the hotel were already occupied. Mr. Boldt, who was very kind and considerate, did not have the mind to send them away in the stormy night to search for a room in another hotel. He offered them his own room in the hotel and spent the night in the office itself. The couple was immensely impressed by the managers compassionate concern for them.
The next morning, they thanked the manager most sincerely. While departing, Mr. Astor told him, You are the kind of manager who should be the boss of the best hotel in the USA. May be some day, I will build a hotel for you.
Mr. William Waldorf Astor (1848-1919), was a Senator and Statesman and the richest man in the USA. He later moved to England and was made a Baron in 1916 and a Viscount in 1917.
In 1893, he completed the construction of the grand, glamorous and splendid Waldorf Hotel in New York. He kept his promise to Mr. Boldt and invited him to New York. He appointed M. Boldt as the first manager of the grand new hotel. Mr. Boldt gladly accepted the offer and managed it most efficiently. Four years later, Mr. John Jacob Astor, the cousin of Mr. William Waldorf Astor erected the Astoria Hotel in the adjacent land and joined the two hotels as Waldorf-Astoria. Mr. Boldt managed the joint hotel excellently for several years and raised it to the level of the finest hotel in the world. It was world-renowned for the magnificent management and superb service.
God sees and values our actions, even the simplest and humblest of them. Every one who comes to us needs our care, concern and kindness. In the Parable of the Gold Coins, the king says to the faithful servant, You are a good servant! Since you were faithful in small matters, I will put you in charge of ten cities {Luke, 19: 17}.
Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it {Hebrews 13:2}.

Lovely Thoughts for Lovely People Just Like You