NOT JUST AN APPLE FROM GOD

Haven’t we all experienced delays and denials at some point or the other in our lives? Haven’t you wondered why life has slammed a door shut on your face? Why is there no convincing answer for such questions? “Why me?” is what must have escaped our lips more than once in this journey we call life.

Arthur Ashe, a tennis champion (who won three Grand Slam titles), and also a great human being, could have cursed God for giving him death on a platter in the form of AIDS for no fault of his. His patience, humility and understanding of God and life didn’t shake his faith in good things. He is no more now but one of his quotes that come to mind is:

"If I were to say 'God, why me?' about the bad things,
then I should have said 'God, why me?'
about the good things that
happened in my life too."

Here’s a little story.

A little girl saw people queued up at God’s home in heaven. It was for apples that people waited for, a sweet gift that God chose to give away that day. Just like everyone else there, Katie hopped on the train from earth to heaven and stood there waiting for her turn. It didn’t matter that the queue was rather long. She was determined to taste an apple from God’s very Hands. After a pretty long day, she finally got a chance to be blessed with a shiny, red apple. She stretched out her tiny palms to hold the fruit.

She was obviously delighted to receive this gift from God. Just when she thought her mission was successful, she lost grip of the apple because of which it tumbled out of her hands. “Waaaaaaaaaaah” Katie began to wail and seemed inconsolable till God agreed to give her another apple. This was only if she could join the queue again. It wasn’t exactly the most thrilling thing to do as the people looking for apples had only increased in number. Patience, huge amounts of patience, was what Katie needed.

Not willing to go back to earth with empty hands, she decided it wasn’t going to be so bad to wait longer. So, she rejoined the queue and stood for several hours again hoping this time she wouldn’t miss the golden chance. Her little legs ached, but she was as determined. She made friends in the queue with her immediate neighbours and exchanged phone numbers.

Finally, Katie’s turn came again and she looked relieved and focused at the same time. Her tiny hands weren’t going to let her down this time around. Fully prepared for the moment, she opened her little palms and waited for her second fruit. As God gently placed the apple in her palms, He said to her lovingly: “My darling girl, do you know why the first apple fell out of your palms? I willed it because it was a rotten one. You are a lovely girl and treat your friends and family right and I know you deserved a succulent apple. Here’s the right one for you. Eat it with all the joy in your heart and remain a good girl. And you know this is the best apple on the farm. Go on and have a smashing day.”

Isn’t it just marvelous that God decides what’s best for us? He times it perfectly; the good, the bad and the ugly. God wills all the delays and denials we experience. It is His universe and we are parts of His Love and Will. All we need to do is keep the faith and possess patience and forbearance.

Bhagavan Baba lovingly helps us understand: “Forbearance cannot be learned through the study of books, nor can it be bought.  It is only by faithfully sticking to the practice of spirituality when you are under trying circumstances that you will be able to acquire forbearance. It is when you are under test, in situations full of problems and difficulties, that the cultivation of forbearance takes place."

"There are a number of weaknesses hidden in a person and, under trying circumstances, these weaknesses manifest themselves as anger, fear, arrogance, and hatred. It is at such times that you will have to learn to practise forbearance.  If you have not developed forbearance, then you will reap much unhappiness and lack of peace in your life.  Also, without forbearance, you may take to wrong and evil ways.  It is therefore essential that you recognise the importance of forbearance.” 

Katie was blessed and so are we. We all receive only the best there is. Let us always remember that every event and non-event in our lives is only because He designed it in His perfect fashion.

Illustrations: Mrs. Lyn, New Zealand

Dear Reader, did this article inspire you in any way? Do you have a similar story to share? Please tell us your reflections about this article by writing to h2h@radiosai.org mentioning your name and country. Thank you for your time.

- Heart2Heart Team