Thursday, June 15, 2006

Shipwrecked

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small deserted island. Not knowing what else to do, the two survivors agreed they had no recourse but to pray to God. To find out whose prayer was more powerful, however, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they would pray for was food.

The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the island, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife.

The next day, another ship was wrecked and the only survivor was a woman, who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

The first man then prayed for a house, clothes and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. The second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island because he considered him unworthy to receive God's blessings since none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a booming voice from Heaven: "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"

"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one
who prayed for them," the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything."


"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."

"Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "what did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"

"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."

Author Unknown

23 comments:

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

After seeing this post up on my blog, I seem to think that I might have posted it before: and if I did I'm sorry, but it is worth reading again.

Alipurr said...

very goof story

Alipurr said...

that's what happens when you type with one hand, you goof, ha haa

i meant, of course,
very good story

Carole Burant said...

After reading this, makes you realize how we tend to be greedy at times and that's not God's way...He thought us to be kind to others and not be selfish...we just forget that sometimes! Thank you for sharing that story Sandy...beautiful!

Jellyhead said...

What a fabulous story.... thanks Sandy.

Unknown said...

Wow!!! Powerful message. Thanks for posting it!

Rachel said...

I have never heard this story before. Very good one though! Certainly a strong message there.

Tim Rice said...

Great story. We never know how much someone else may be behind our blessings.

Hale McKay said...

That was wonderful. It's one those posts that makes one say, "I wish I had posted that."

LoriCloud said...

wow. what a wonderful dose of perspective. Thank you.

Tanya said...

Wow- powerful stuff and something to think about. I liked that.

Anonymous said...

Powerful story, glad you posted that one! I'm going to send it to some friends of mine.

How is Jimmy feeling now? Hope it all clears up once the meds kick in.
My Dad would never, EVER go to the doctor.. would always wait till the last minute. Used to drive my mom up the wall from worrying.

Merle said...

Dear Sandy ~~ This is a beautiful story and I hadn't seen it before. Thanks for sharing it with us. I hope your Jimmy is feeling much better very soon. Your lilies look lovely. Glad you liked Whose Child. It is nice. Take care of yourself and hubby. Merle.

bornfool said...

I like that story. A nice twist at the end.

Redneck Mommy said...

Great story. I'm gonna steal it and show my kids...

doubleknot said...

Nice story. I am on the prayer list at my mother's church. I just donated two truck loads of stuff to them today and as I was leaving the second time one of the gentlemen said that if I didn't know it that God loved me. It made me feel better. They asked how many more loads I had and I told them next week - I have used up my energy and need to rest now. Hope someone can get some use out of the clothes and stuff I donated. They give free clothes to people that don't have any so I know my clothes are going to a good cause.

Ava said...

Great post! And I hope that hubby is feeling better.

Ava

LZ Blogger said...

Author Unknown... is a VERY smart person! ~ jb///

Granny said...

Hi Sandy. Somehow I missed getting you on Bloglines. I'll fix that right now.

The Four Bears in the Woods said...

Nice post. Hope Jimmy is feeling better. We have been feeling a little under the weather too. How is your training on your bike with training wheels coming along? I have a feeling you will be out on the road before you know it. We will be waiting for that ride with you on your new bike. Or maybe we dont have to wait if you guys would like to go for a ride sometimes with us, just let us know.

Love ya,

The 4 Bears

Judypatooote said...

If you did I didn't catch it, and I think it is worth posting twice anyway....It is a neat story.... with a good point....and reading it twice just might make someone live up to the meaning....

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you posted it again. It's a wonderful story and I probably wouldn't have read or heard it if you hadn't.

Kerri said...

I've read it before so maybe it was here. I love it...definitely worth reading many times. How wonderful to be so unselfish. something to strive for...
Thanks for posting this Sandy. Great inspiration!