What is love ? True story

 WHAT IS LOVE?

Years ago,  when I lived in *Lugbe,* a suburb in *Abuja,* a number of girls lived in a building adjacent to me. They strictly lived to be picked up by men.  

The girls will *go out at night* and return the following *morning.*  I, and other neighbors were *angry.*  The girls were very noisy.  They never cared who their noise disturbed.

One day, the landlord had enough. *He evicted all of them.* Their properties were thrown out. All the girls found somewhere else to relocate, *except one.* She had no place to go.

She kept her belongings in our building corridor, and on nights that she was home, she'd sleep there... *and that was on most nights.*

The tenants in the building, *including my husband and I,* met to plan how to put her and her belongings out. *Surprisingly,* one tenant, *a woman* was against the idea. She asked, "What would you all do if this girl was *your daughter, sister or relative?"* She told us that this girl and her friends have, no doubt made *wrong choices.* But she reminded us that we too, *at some point* in our past also made wrong  choices. But God still held us close to His heart and saved us.  She cautioned us as Christians to *consider what Jesus would do.*

Everyone was quiet. But none suggested any way to help the *now homeless* lady. 

Later on, the same woman who defended her at the tenant meeting had a talk with her husband. They agreed to house the girl *in their moderate apartment.*

They invited the girl into their home and told her she could stay with them. The homeless girl was shocked when the woman said to her, *"We know what you do for a living.* And you are free to go out at night and come back the next day if that's what you choose to do. Feel free to eat our food. Use the other bedroom. It is yours *as long as you live here.* Live like one of us. We did not bring you in to judge you. But we will continue to pray for you. Hopefully, the spirit will talk to you..., *at your own time."* 

_The girl was dumbfounded._ And she cried. At nights, *she stayed home.* Going out to look for men gradually became a thing of her past. 

She would join the family for morning devotion *and go to church with them on Sundays.*

One day, the woman, *now her landlord of sorts* told her of her husband's decision to pay for her to register in a university. The lady gained admission into a university. *She graduated on top of her class* and got a good job.  But even before she graduated, with a university grant for outstanding students, *she had started a business* of her own. 

Today, when you enter her office, she has this woman and her husband's photo on the wall behind her desk. The photo has the inscription, _*" " 'My parents,' the only Christians I know''.*_

Folks, what is love? Many Christians cannot answer to this question. We resist the true essence of love.

The truth is, "Christ died for us.'' Why would a righteous man die for sinners? That's what love is.

What can you do for someone even against your intrinsic instincts?

Every one we have chosen not to forgive, deserve forgiveness.  That is the sacrifice that a true Christian, who shows true love makes. 

*Love is not the practice of loving beautiful people. True love is shown by being willing to truly love those that many look down upon.*

_*How many less fortunate people have you taken home from church after service to feed?  Why do we feed the rich, and don't feed the needy?*_

Why do we scorn people who look like prostitutes? We look at children who look unkept and we shake our heads in disapproval, warning our children to avoid such people.

But what kind of people do we think that heaven is waiting up there for? 

Let's not lose the purpose of life because of what we have almost achieved.

Can someone say of you, *"I met a true believer in you?"* 

_Copied._

You are the best- motivational thought

 

Comparisons

Shweta covered a distance of 10 km in one hour.

Akash covered the same distance in one and a half hours.

Which of the two is faster and healthier??

 Of course our answer will be Shweta.

What if we say that Shweta covered this distance on a prepared track while Akash did it by walking on a sandy path???

Then our answer will be Akash.

 

But when we come to know that Shweta is 50 years old while Akash is 25 years old??

Then our answer will be Shweta again.

But we also come to know that Akash's weight is 140 kg while Shweta's weight is 65 kg.

 Again our answer will be Akash 

As we learn more about Akash and Shweta, our opinions and judgments about who is better will change.

The reality of life is also similar. We form opinions very superficially and hastily, due to which we are not able to do justice to ourselves and others.

 

 Opportunities vary.

 Life is different.

 Resources differ.

 Problems change.

Solutions are different.

Therefore the excellence of life is not in comparing with anyone but in testing oneself.

 You are the best. Stay as you are and keep trying your best according to your  circumstances.

 Stay healthy, stay cool, stay satisfied, keep smiling, keep laughing, keep on serving society and the country.

🦁Real king🦉- 🐆Jungle story🦄

Once upon a time in a Jungle, not far away, a Jackass decided that he wanted to be the King of the Jungle. 

He hired a bunch of hyenas to groom him for the next elections and in return he promised them as many animals as they could eat. 

The hyenas laughed and agreed, getting down to work. 

"Only a Lion can be the King of the Jungle", a wise old owl said. 

So the hyenas designed a long flowing mane for the Jackass to wear around his face so that he looked a little bit like a lion. 

"He is still a Jackass", said the wise old owl.

So they put up posters of the Jackass everywhere across the jungle, saying he is a Lion, till all the animals were convinced that he is a Lion indeed.

When the Jackass went to give his speech, he brayed.

"He brays, he is a jackass", said the wise old owl.

But the hyenas used voice modulation techniques and made him roar like a lion and all the animals clapped and cheered. 

The Jackass blamed all the previous kings and told the gullible animals how they were all useless and how he was the savior who would "Make Jungle Great Again" 

The strategy of the hyenas worked... The animals, with an overwhelming majority, made the Jackass the King and threw the previous King out of the Jungle, calling him an Accidental Lion King. 

He first cut off all the leaves from the tree saying this would get in more sunlight in the jungle. 

"That's exactly what a jackass would do. No leaves will take away the natural shield we get", said the wise old owl. 

The hyenas banded together and told the wise of owl to #GoToCity

The Jackass then stopped all rivers by piling stones into them, saying this will store water for everyone. 

"That's exactly what a jackass would do. Stopping the natural flow of the river which is important in cleaning it up, just take enough water that we need and let the rest flow", said the wise old owl. 

The hyenas labeled the owl as an Anti-Jungle, called him a Jungle-Naxal and threw him in the jail.

They stuck more posters all over the jungle on the trees bereft of leaves now and all the animals happily accepted that they had got a Visionary Masterstroker as their King. 

Soon, the jungle was struck by a cold wave and the temperatures dropped and the animals begun to freeze. 

The King decided to set the trees on fire to counter the freezing cold. 

"That's exactly what a jackass would do. I had told you cutting off the leaves would take away our natural protection", said the wise old owl. 

But no one listened to him, anymore. 

The King invited everyone in the jungle to celebrate the burning of the trees. 

The King stood with his pack of hyenas as the fires raged and the animals danced around the fires, as the flames got closer and closer to them. 

He turned to the hyenas and said, "I had promised you all the animals you could eat. There, go ahead and take your pick, they would be cooked in sometime". 

"He is a jackass", came the voice from the jail, but the animals were busy celebrating the Jungle Fire Utsav. 

The flames started engulfing the animals, singeing them as the hyenas approached for their promised feast. 

Some of the flames suddenly moved towards the King and his fake mane caught on fire.

The King stood steadfast as his mane slowly started burning away, his real face exposed. 

The animals noticed it and shouted, "Damn it, we did not elect a lion, we made the jackass our King".

The wise old owl said, "You don't have to wait till the mane catches fire. You can figure out a Jackass for what he is, just by his actions. Or atleast listen to the voices of wisdom"

But there were very few animals left to listen to him now......

🤩Real happiness😍 -😛 true story🥳

 

*When Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola in a telephone interview,  was asked by the radio presenter, "Sir what can you remember made you a happiest man in life?"*

Femi said:

"I have gone through four stages of happiness in life and finally I understood the meaning of true happiness."

The first stage was to accumulate wealth and means. But at this stage I did not get the happiness I wanted.

Then came the second stage of collecting valuables and items. But I realised that the effect of this thing is also temporary and the lustre of valuable things does not last long.

Then came the third stage of getting big projects. That  was when I was holding 95% of diesel supply in Nigeria and Africa. I was also the largest vessel owner in Africa and Asia. But even here I did not get the happiness I had imagined. 

The fourth stage was the time a friend of mine asked me to buy wheelchair for some disabled children. Just about 200 kids. 

At the friend's request, I immediately bought the wheelchairs. 

But the friend insisted that I go with him and hand over the wheelchairs to the children. I got ready and went with him. 

There I gave these wheel chairs to these children with my own hands. I saw the strange glow of happiness on the faces of these children. I saw them all sitting on the wheelchairs, moving around and having fun. 

It was as if they had arrived at a picnic spot where they are sharing a jackpot winning.

I felt REAL joy inside me. When I decided to leave one of the kids grabbed my legs. I tried to free my legs gently but the child stared at my face and held my legs tightly.

I bent down and asked the child: Do you need something else?

The answer this child gave me not only made me happy but also changed my attitude to life completely. This child said: 

"I want to remember your face so that when I meet you in heaven, I will be able to recognise you and thank you once again."

What would you be remembered for after you leave that office or place?

Will anyone desire to see your face again where it all matters?

*This is a must read piece* .

*It got me thinking. I pray it does same to everyone.*

 *God bless you all.*

🐦He not only forgives, but He forgets- 🦆Duck story🦢

 

A little boy was visiting his grandparents on their farm. And he was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods but he could never hit the target. And getting a little discouraged; he headed back to dinner.

As he was walking back he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let it fly, hit the duck soiree in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved.

In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the woodpile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch that day Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn’t you Johnny?” And then she whispered to him, “Remember, the duck?”

So Johnny did the dishes.

Later, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, “I am sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.” But Sally smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right, because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” And she whispered again, “Remember, the duck?”

So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally’s, he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He came to Grandma and confessed that he killed the duck. She knelt, hugged him, and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. But because I love you, I forgave you.

But I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make you a slave.”

I don’t know what’s in your past.

I don’t know what one sin the enemy keeps throwing up in your face. But whatever it is, I want you to know something.

The Lord Jesus Christ was standing at the window. And He saw the whole thing. But because He loves you, He has forgiven you. Perhaps He’s wondering how long you’ll let the enemy make a slave out of you. The great thing about God is that He not only forgives, but He forgets.

🛠The fence story🔩-🤯 controlling Anger🥵

There once was a young boy with a very bad temper. The boy's father wanted to teach him a lesson, so he gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper he must hammer a nail into their wooden fence.

On the first day of this lesson, the little boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. He was really mad!

Over the course of the next few weeks, the little boy began to control his anger, so the number of nails that were hammered into the fence dramatically decreased.

It wasn't long before the little boy discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Then, the day finally came when the little boy didn't lose his temper even once, and he became so proud of himself, he couldn't wait to tell his father.

Pleased, his father suggested that he now pull out one nail for each day that he could hold his temper.

Several weeks went by and the day finally came when the young boy was able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

Very gently, the father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.

"You have done very well, my son," he smiled, "but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same."

The little boy listened carefully as his father continued to speak.

"When you say things in anger, they leave permanent scars just like these. And no matter how many times you say you're sorry, the wounds will still be there."

True story- 👳‍♂️India took revenge 🇮🇳

 

A story by Manish Nandi

How India took revenge on a person

who hated India. Will gladden cockles your heart!

.

She hated almost everything in the country India, and I guess she needed to find something to like in Calcutta . I was that person

Our quiet and reserved neighbours in Calcutta, the Thorntons, New Zealanders who referred to themselves as Kiwi people, had just moved out. ¹My father said his next colleague, an American, would move in shortly with his family.

Ten days later I was struggling with my high school homework when the doorbell rang. A pleasant-faced but brusque-mannered woman in her 30s asked if I understood English and, when I nodded, wanted to speak with my mother. I explained, in English, that my mother worked and was never home during the day. Surprised that an Indian housewife worked outside her home and an Indian boy spoke English, she asked for a favour. If I could please come and explain something to her two domestic employees that she hadn’t been able to convey.

Both the employees, a cleaner and a cook, said they understood the Thorntons’ English but were befuddled by her American accent. I explained the instructions in both Hindi and English, and then suggested to Edna, who had meanwhile told me her name, that she needed to speak to them slowly and perhaps with a clipped accent. She appreciated my help, but felt that, as a true New Yorker, she would have a tough time altering her speaking style.

Then, in a friendly gesture, she offered me a glass of Coca-Cola and watched wide-eyed as I drank it unhesitatingly. 

Then she said she would like to teach me a game that she loved before but hadn’t been able to play in Calcutta, not knowing who knew English well enough. The game was Scrabble. She warned me that she was a skilled player, and I shouldn’t mind losing a duel with her. “You will get better as you play with me,” she added encouragingly. We started. She was a little amazed that I used words she hadn’t expected me to know and one time had to consult a dictionary when I applied a longer word she didn’t know. Edna didn’t know that words and their structure interested me, and she was struck dumb when I won the match.

She needed a friend. She said that her husband, with his soft-spoken style and self-effacing demeanor, had become quickly popular in India, but she hadn’t a person to talk to. Frankly, she said, she disliked spicy Indian food, impenetrable Indian languages, messy Indian clothes, noisy Indian cities and the smelly Indians she had so far encountered. They seemed shifty and unreliable to her. I somehow appeared to her somewhat different. She detested almost everything in India, and I guess she needed to find something to like in Calcutta. I was that person. We became friends.

In the ensuing months she called me often. She needed my help to understand other people, doctors or servants, to explain her intent to other people, dress or furniture makers, to guide her about mangoes and markets, taxis and textiles. I met and liked her husband, Desmond, and saw immediately why he would be easily adaptable to Indian people and their ways. For Edna, Calcutta, in fact anything Indian, remained an enduring and execrable enigma. None of my interpretations or explanations worked. She loathed it all.

Our friendship ended when my parents moved out to another home in a different part of the city. 

Thirty years later, I was working in the World Bank in the US and talking to a New Yorker colleague who had been in India. He mentioned Desmond, saying that he had died and his wife had settled in a town near Washington. He gave me Edna’s phone number.

When I called her Friday, Edna recognised me in a second and warmly insisted that we talk face-to-face. She suggested that I come over to her place after office, stay the night and return the following morning. She said she would get me the pyjamas and a toothbrush. Such insistence was not customary in the US, but it sounded affectionate and well-meant and I agreed.

I took the hour-long bus trip and, as we approached the bus terminal, wondered how I would identify her after all these years. But I was the only non-white person in the bus in formal clothes, and Edna came forward in a second and hugged me.

When we arrived at her place, I had a shock. It could have been an Indian home. Every piece of furniture, every artifact, even every curtain or cushion was Indian. The rug on the floor was Indian, so were the framed pictures on the wall of the Red Fort and Dal Lake and an antique colonial-era map of India.

She served me Makaibari tea with some pakoras, and, when I offered to take her out for dinner, countermanded it promptly by saying that she has already cooked Basmati rice and chicken butter-masala for me.

I was speechless for minutes. When I recovered my tongue, I made bold to ask what had happened to change her view, since, the last I knew, she detested much of India – “with passion,” she added. What she then told me was a remarkable tale. 

It was not literature, philosophy or culture that turned her mind around. It was simply the ordinary people of India, the street folk and bazaar vendors and domestic employees who altered her perspective.

“I began with endless distrust,” said Edna, “I assumed they were out to cheat me and take advantage of a naïve foreigner. Day by day the exact opposite happened. I would buy bananas, and the poor vendor would choose the best for me, return the excessive amount I had paid. The cleaner would find and give me the cash I had carelessly dropped in the kitchen. The cook gave me and my husband the best pieces of meat, to keep only the bones for himself. Day by day, they taught me a lesson I couldn’t overlook.

“Every time I went out, a fruit seller would pester me to buy his stuff. I refused, for I wanted to buy from the market next door where I would have more choice. One day, out on the street, the heel of my shoe came off. I didn’t know how to walk back home. The fruit seller came running, made me sit on his empty fruit basket, left with the broken shoe and came back in ten minutes with it repaired, put it on my foot and would not take a cent. I insisted, he refused. I doubt anybody would have done that for me in New York.”

Edna smiled, “Yes, I hated India with passion. And India took revenge. It just made me into an Indian.”

Missionary story

 A man named John Kennedy and his wife set sail as missionaries to an area with several islands. 6 month trip. During the voyage he conducted worship on the ship. Everyone liked him.

Kennedy and his wife came to the island, held a map of the islands in their hands, prayed and touched an island with their hands. What a surprise the two touched the same island.

When you are ready to go to that island the ship captain tells them sir you go to another island. But do not go to this island. Those who went here have never returned. Humans are said to be eaten alive by the people of this island. But missionary Kennedy said it was the Lord's call and that they were sure to go.

Captain they go OK but do one thing. Tie this little boat to the shore and put the tent on the shore. He gave me a small boat saying that if they chase you take the boat and come to sea.

Kennedy also built a boat on the shore.

Learned the language in one line.

Two years passed and no one became a Christian. They both knelt on the beach and cried and prayed.

In a few hours God spoke to him

God

Kennedy Do you believe me

Kennedy

Yes Lord I trust in you

God

Kennedy Do you believe me

Kennedy

Yes Lord I trust in you

#God

Why did you tie that boat ashore?

Kennedy

To run if people come to kill us

God

Kennedy Do you believe me?

Kennedy

Yes I believe in the Lord

God

 If I had run away from death that day, would mankind have been saved? Destroy the boat

The boat came ashore with Kennedy. The wife brought kerosene and a matchbox. The boat burned.

The islanders who saw the fire fled. Thurayare asked what had happened and told the gospel on the spot. 200 people accepted #Christ on the spot. Evangelism spread.

When John F. Kennedy first came to this island there was #no_a_Christian.

When John Kennedy died today, it was written in his grave that there was no one on this island who did not know Christ.

Who is a REAL FOOL according to the Bible?

 

GIVE THIS A Thought !!

The World calls this day (April 1) "All Fools Day" or "April Fools Day". But Who is a REAL FOOL according to the Bible?

5 times in the Bible Jesus chose to address people as "fools" in the gospels.

1. The Careless Fool - Mat. 7:24-27 (Those who do not put the Word into practice)

2. The Hypocritical Fool - Mat. 23:17-19 (Those who live double-standard lives)

3. The Sleeping Fool - Mat. 25:1-8 (Those who are unprepared for Jesus’ coming) 

4. The Materialistic Fool - Luke 12:16-20 (Those who live for this world)

5. The Unbelieving Fool - Luke 24:25 (Those who do not believe in his promises)

Who else does the Bible say is a fool?

1. He Who Says There Is No God. Psalm. 14:1

2. He Who Trusts In His Own Heart. Proverbs 28:26.

3. He Who Is Always Right [In His Own Eyes.] Proverbs 12:15.

4. He Who Despises Wisdom and Instruction. Proverbs 1:7.

5. He Who Is Soon Angry. Eccl. 7:9.

6. He Who Slanders Others. Proverbs 10:18. 

7. He Who Mocks At Sin. Proverbs 14:9.

8. He Who Talks A Lot. Proverbs 29:11 

9. He Who Minds Others’ Business. Proverbs 20:3; 26:17

𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕- Real world

 

When my daughter wed and left home, I felt a part of me left.  With a daughter and a son, I was very happy in my life. When she

was in her teens, I felt as if she was my "physical extension" .

So when she left home to set up her own home, I felt I lost a limb from my body. Next time she came to stay with us for a few days, I was astonished how her priorities had changed. We too must have given the same shocks to our own parents. While she was talking to me, she used the word "Amma" (mother). But that word was not for me. That word referred her "mother in law".

I felt she was always in a hurry to go back to her house and not stay with me for a few more days. That was the first time, I understood that I have to start practicing detachment with attachment.

Two years after my daughter’s marriage, my son left for higher studies to US. Having experienced a child's separation once, I was better equipped emotionally. I became busy with various classes held in the city related to vedanta.

I just wanted to be away from home. Because my husband was a 24/7 workaholic. My son used to write how he was missing my home and the food cooked by me and how he was waiting to come back to live in Chennai with us.

After a few years, he did come back and we got him married. He started living separately with his wife and we were also happy that they wanted to be independent from the beginning. But now, it was all changed !

In the USA, he missed my cooking, now if I called him my home with his wife for a meal, he always says an excuse like "oh, amma, we have other plans for the day, please don't mistake us, if we don't come today" ! I could see that his priorities had also changed completely. We talk so many things and give so much advice to others, but when it comes to our own children, acceptance comes very late.

Our next step is to just leave them undisturbed in every way. It was at that time, that I made the following, my 'new profile'. In all my relationships, I give my best and do my best to live up to what I say. My attachment with them is complete. However, I remain detached in the sense that I do not expect them to reciprocate my affection. I love them too much. But I decided not to expect the same degree of love from them.

Most importantly, I make a conscious effort , not to interfere or pass judgements on the lives they choose to lead. My concern for my beloved people will not fade with my detachment. If you let go of the ones you love, they will never go away – this is the beauty of attachment with detachment !

I have learnt to love and let go. This principle has developed tolerance in me. When I let the people live the way they want to, I learn to accept them for what they are. 

Most importantly, I learn to tolerate the world around me and this tolerance brings in me a sense of peace and satisfaction. Since both my children live in Chennai, I follow this very strictly, you know why ! Now I have realised that we start growing mentally much more only after the children leave the house and we have to tackle the emotional vacuum, that arises, along with age-related problems .

I specially dedicate this post to my friends, who are totally dependent on their children's lives, to nurture their own selves emotionally.  Please develop your own interests, hobbies etc, however ordinary they seem to be. 

We must learn to love whatever we do instead of Doing whatever we love !!

Author:  Sudha Murthy, Chairperson, Infosys Foundation