It’s was 10:00 am. Nathan got up. He was really wondering for what. It had been a month he was out of work. Every day was like a million years to live. He was frustrated. Every day Nathan used to make sure he went for long walk in the evening, alone! He had a pretty good share of saving from his previous two work places but he knew the evident, they were on the path of depletion.
A grueling Tuesday came again. As all his friends left for work Nathan cursed joining his new company which rendered him unemployed. Call it his bad luck, destiny, or lack of training guidance; the fact was there was only one suffering- Nathan. He used to complain to himself, curse himself, calculate and re-calculate his decision to join this new company. All the day was spent in looking outside the window, watching entertainment on the computer, applying for jobs; but all in vain, the good had yet to happen. To add to his misery his parents didn’t connect well. Conflicts were a part and parcel of their daily life. Nathan got another reason to crib about.
It was evening and Nathan began his walk. It was Creed playing what this life is for. Nathan could really connect to it. He walked slowly but with every beat his anger without a cause just lit stronger. He walked aimlessly, probably that was his choice to release his frustration. He would look upset whoever he saw people shopping, couples walking hand in hand, or even people around him happy. Despite being regular to church, he was turning into a monster he could not control.
“Nathan, where are you? Please come back home”, said his mother in the sweetest tone possible. Nathan was like, whatever. But, he had to go home after all dinner is served back home. It was 9:15 as he retired home after smoking a heavy dose of 4 cigarettes. He walked home cursing the day.
As he walked home, Nathan saw something unusual. He saw a poor old man holding a child in his arms. The child was crippled. She could hardly move without the helping hands of her grandpa. He held her like an angel in his hands. Her eyes twisted and so was her head. Her eyes looked up to the sky without reason. Her grandpa sang her a song. She smiled often as she heard her grandpa whistle to her. Her grandpa repeatedly tapped her on her crippled back. It sounded like, “I’m there my child.” Nathan was taken aback by this picture. Tears flooded his eyes. He realized how difficult the life must be for the unfortunate grandpa and her lifeless granddaughter. It was much worst than the situation Nathan was in. But, yet they were in a better situation. The difference was the grandpa was happy. He never cribbed about his situation. Rather he made sure he helped the child to smile thru her tough destined life. Nathan knew some day he would get a job and move on. But, the child had a destined future. A future full of troubles and an ocean of difficult battles to be conquered. The phase that the grandpa-granddaughter was not easy but they lived every moment like today was the last day. There was a change brought about in Nathan. He could understand the mysterious solution God showed him. It showed him how lucky he was. He had all the physical abilities. He had a delicious dinner for him waiting at home. He had a dad who cared about him, a mom who would always be there with him and two sisters who always made sure he smiled. He had an army of friends who would make him laugh constantly. Nathan quickly reached for the cross in his pocket he carried. He thanked God for every moment and decided to stop cribbing, gradually thou. The question if Nathan would get a job or not stood unanswered, but there was answer to Nathan depressing attitude. Smiling thru troubles kept him happy.
We may all face troubles and difficulties in all that we do. But, that’s what this life is all about. Fighting them and conquering them is the best option we have. We may have other options just like the earlier phase Nathan choose. Life is all about the choices, so whoever you are, deciding to be sad or unhappy it’s the choice you make. Bitter situation will always arise so ask the Lord for strong shoulders rather than a lighter cross.
P.S: The Nathan was none other than Me.
