An Empty Box?

Mark was an 11 year old orphan who lived with his aunt, a bitter middle aged woman greatly annoyed with the burden of caring for her dead sister’s son. She never failed to remind young Mark, if it hadn’t been for her generosity, he would be a vagrant, homeless waif. Still, with all the scolding and chilliness at home, he was a sweet and gentle child.

Mark’s schoolteacher had not noticed him particularly until he began staying after class each day (at the risk of arousing his aunt’s anger, she later found) to help her straighten up the room. They did this quietly and comfortably, not speaking much, but enjoying the solitude of that hour of the day. When they did talk, Mark spoke mostly of his mother. Though he was quite small when she died, he remembered a kind, gentle, loving woman, who always spent much time with him.

As Christmas drew near however, Mark failed to stay after school each day. His teacher looked forward to his coming, and when the days passed and he continued to scamper hurriedly from the room after class, she stopped him one afternoon and asked why he no longer helped her in the room. She told him how she had missed him, and his large gray eyes lit up eagerly as he replied, “Did you really miss me?”

Mark’s teacher explained how he had been her best helper. “I was making you a surprise,” he whispered confidentially. “It’s for Christmas.” With that, he became embarrassed and dashed from the room. He didn’t stay after school any more after that.

Finally came the last school day before Christmas. Mark crept slowly into the room late that afternoon with his hands concealing something behind his back. “I have your present,” he said timidly when his teacher looked up. “I hope you like it.” He held out his hands, and there lying in his small palms was a tiny wooden box.

“Its beautiful, Mark. Is there something in it?” I asked opening the top to look inside.

“Oh you can’t see what’s in it,” he replied, “and you can’t touch it, or taste it or feel it, but mother always said it makes you feel good all the time, warm on cold nights, and safe when you’re all alone.”

I gazed into the empty box. “What is it Mark,” I asked gently, “that will make me feel so good?”

“It’s love,” he whispered softly, “and mother always said it’s best when you give it away.” And he turned and quietly left the room.

Source: Unknown

Our World Needs Good Virtues

What are Virtues?

Virtues are the characteristics of a person which support individual moral excellence and collective well being. Such characteristics are valued as a principle and recognised as a good way to be. Virtues are the sets of traits that we consider as good to have. They define the way we behave, interact, respond, react and how we treat others.

We were created by God to be flawless and to live lives that will inspire and help others to achieve the potentials that God Himself has deposited in their lives. We were created to be a source of inspiration to one another through our daily living. We can only achieve this by being the right people that we were meant to be. We have to cultivate the right virtues in order to make the desired impact in the lives of other people.

In order to be the right people in our country, society, and our world at large, we have a responsibility to build and develop the required virtues into our lives. This process can be likened to planting a seed on a flower pot. The moment we plant the seed we must make sure all the requirements are met for the seed to germinate and grow to maturity and produce.

The society, and the world at large, is currently faced with many challenges resulting from the failure of people to imbibe the right virtues. Leaders have failed their followers, businesses have been mismanaged, lives are being destroyed, our societies have degenerated, people are increasingly becoming selfish and self-centred, violence is being accepted as a norm in our societies. The list is endless.

The remedy for these social and political challenges is for people to repent from their failures and take the bold step towards rebuilding our lost virtues. It takes effort, hard work and determination from all of us to make our world a better place.

Our world is in dire need of good virtues: Service, Love, Integrity, Responsibility, Honesty, Goodness, Faithfulness, Discernment, Foresight, Diligence, Acceptance, Morality, Fairness, Moderation, Commitment, Purity, Creativity, Sincerity, Gentleness, Hospitality, Impartiality, Justice, Gratitude, Helpfulness, Loyalty, Respect, Spirituality, Trustworthiness, Unity.

This portion of the Scriptures is a good place for us to start.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)