By Way of Thanks

Stop me if you've heard this...

There's a story of a very pious old man who spends his whole life deep in devotion to God. One day, flooding rains come to the land where he lives. But he isn't worried. He just sits down in his chair and begins to pray.

The flood waters climb higher, so he scrambles up to the 2nd floor of his house to escape them. But he isn't worried. He just continues to pray.

While he's lost in prayer, someone comes rowing by in a rowboat. "There's plenty of room. Climb on into the boat with me and I'll save you my friend." But the old man says no thank you. "I've spent my whole life in devotion to God," he says. "God will save me." So he sends the rowboat on its way.

The waters, unbelievably, keep rising. Unconcerned, the old man simply climbs onto the roof of his house and continues to pray. And, unbelievably, another rowboat comes by. This time there are a few passengers in it, but no problem, there's room. "Climb into the boat with us and we'll save you my friend." But the old man answers, "No thank you. I've spent my whole life in devotion to God. God will save me." And he sends the second rowboat on its way.

The rain keeps coming down. The floodwaters rise so high that the old man has to stand on the peak of the roof of his house, just to keep his face above water. Still he keeps on calmly praying. Amazingly, a helicopter flys overhead and sees the old man. A rope is lowered down for him. "There's room for you in this helicopter, old man. Climb up the rope and I will save you." But the old man replies "I've spent my whole life in devotion to God, God will save me. No thank you, go on your way."

It keeps on raining. The water rises over the old man's head. And he drowns.

Because he was such a pious and devoted man, he goes right up to heaven. Not only that, he is granted a personal interview with God. So he goes in and bows, looking very humble and devoted. And God says, "Because you were so devoted to me on earth, now that you are in heaven you may ask me anything you wish."

And the old man says, "Well, if I may..." And he tells God his story of the rain and the flood and the rising waters and his death by drowning. "So I just have to ask you because I'm so confused. I was your faithful servant, I just kept praying and believing in you. And you let me drown. I don't understand. Where were you when I needed you?"

And God looks back at him, even more confused and says "I don't understand either. I sent you two rowboats and a helicopter."

....................................

By way of thanks, because I CAN see God (or Buddha?) in two row boats and a helicopter.

Comments

[Robert]

Oh my, I'm so honored. Gosh. Thanks.

As the parable says, there's plenty of room in the boat.

[me]

I have heard this as a joke:

Moishe prays every day to G-d, "Please let me win the lottery." Every day, Moishe loses. This goes on for years. One day, Moishe gets angry and lashes out at G-d.
"I pray, I am devoted, why don't you help me?"

G-d answers: "Moishe, do me a favor. Buy a ticket."
:-)

[becky]

That's a wonderful story. It's amazing the places where you can see God. I was so impressed by the outpouring of love and wonderfulness from your readers in response to the Thanksgiving entry. I wanted to say something similar, but my self-consciousness got in the way. Alas. I feel self-conscious even talkin' 'bout self-consciousness! But, what a wonderful blog you have--it seems to bring out the best in people and attract wonderful people to it. Cool!

[mahala]

In reverse...

Sweet Becky! I love your feeling self-conscious about feeling self conscious. Visit some of the other blogs on my list and you'll be amazed (as I have been) but the outpouring of loving-kindness on the net.

Great Story PathofMediation/Me. How often we ask for changes in our life without taking the action of "buying a ticket."

Robert, thanks. We're all in the same boat, aren't we. Sometimes that's a *good* thing.

[Tinne]

Mahala, I am honored to be considered a small help to you. You have given me so much. I seem to have run out of eloquence so I'll leave it at that.