How will you find them?

Throughout their lives, as our kids have faced new challenges – moving to new cities with new schools and youth groups and sports teams – as well as launched into new lives at college and beyond, we’ve repeatedly shared this story with them to paint a simple picture of life. You could say it’s one of our family’s folk tales.

Our life has been a bit chaotic lately, (yours too?) so as we find a rare chance to relax on a peaceful Sunday afternoon, we share this simple story with love. Enjoy!

Bench

On a sunny day in another time, there was an elderly man sitting on a park bench along the road between two towns, one town was to the East and one was to the West. In the early part of the afternoon, a young and weary traveler was walking between villages and he paused to rest on the bench with the elderly man. They quickly struck up a conversation.

“How are the people in the next town to the East?” asked the traveler.

“Well,” asked the elderly man, “how did you find the people in the last town you visited?”

The young traveler’s face grimaced. “Oh they were wretched. Unkind and selfish. Arrogant. I barely found anyone who would help me find lodging.”

The elderly man nodded his head slowly, “Alas, I’m afraid you will find them the same in the next town.”

Later that same afternoon, another young traveler was traveling from West to East and paused to rest on the bench with the elderly man.

The young traveler asked, “Please sir, how are the people in the next town to the East?”

“How did you find the people in the last town you visited?” asked the elderly man.

The 2^nd young traveler gleamed. “They were quite generous and delightful! They were welcoming and amusing and so hospitable. I enjoyed them very much.”

The elderly man nodded his head slowly, “Indeed,” he smiled, “You will find them the same in the next town.”