This book was a helpful reminder for me. I feel that often I set the cruise control of life and do not really pay attention to what is going on around me. I forget about all the beauty in the world. An expression once heard "stop and sell the roses" comes to mind. This is a great idea. One that in our country we need to be shouting from the roof tops. We to often set our personal cruise controls and forget that we are here to live and not just pass the time by.
A scripture I was reminded of while reading The Alchemist is the story of the good Samaritan from Luke 10. A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.
In The Alchemist the boy suffered many difficulties as he was searching for his treasure. He lost all his money twice, was near death several times, and was in a foreign land without a friend. This boy, while searching for his treasure, had many Samaritans helping him along the way. People who he did not even know lending him a helping hand. Many of the times we are searching for people to help and don't realize we are the ones who need the help. We try to fix others problems when ours are the ones needing to be fixed. I am not saying not to help others, but to really look at yourself and realize who you are. Pay attention to the world around you. What your body is telling you, and the signs you see.
This has been a very good week for me. I had more free time for myself then I am use too. I journeyed to DFW for a psychological evaluation to prove I am sane for seminary. The jury is still out;) on that, but it was a good experience. While in the DFW area I got to see some friends I will not get to see in a while since of my move. I went to the Rangers game on Wednesday night, and had a good time even though the score was not what I wanted. Along with getting to do all this I had lots of time for myself. I arrived Monday and checked into the hotel and was able for the first time to dive into my new prayer book I received as a gift. This book is going to be great for my spirituality. The prayer book follows the church calendar and has daily reflections. On Tuesday I spent several hours in a Barnes and Noble and read part of two books. This is when I found The Alchemist. This was a great time to find so new readings. I really enjoyed the time I was able to escape and have this only time.
I have been thinking for sometime about my grandparents, and I have enjoyed getting to spend this time at home with my grandparents. Today I was feeding cattle with my Granddad and got to learn more about my Granddad's past. I defiantly think these moments are God moments. As a young child I always wanted to know things about my Granddad, but it never seemed as though he wanted to share. Now he is sharing without even me asking question. God has been present at these times.
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