Miracles are there, always there...

Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it. --Andre Gide

Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true. [paraphrased] --Buddha
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This is great, take a moment to read it, it will make your day! The
ending will surprise you...

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They
had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would
often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very
courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The
father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the
door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your
son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me
to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.
He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held
out this package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great
artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted
by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured
the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to
the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young
man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay
what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors
came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he
showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of
his paintings Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the
great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their
collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded
his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who
will bid for this picture?"

There was silence.Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting.
Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"

Another voice angrily.. "We didn't come to see this painting. We
came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take
the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the
longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting."
Being a poor man, it was all he could afford
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."
"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the
son.

They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the
collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is
over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told
of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that
stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be
auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire
estate, including the paintings.

The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the
auctioneer, His message today is: "The son, the son, who'll take the
son?"

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT' S LOVE

"Miracles are there, always there... all you need to do is to BELIEVE!" --Cae Hiew

Hi Cheer,

That was a good post and how true ! We most of the times give so much importance to the BIG things in life that we overlook the 'SMALL' things, which are most needed in our life, like LOVE !

The Gardener understood the sacrifice and the feelings behind the Son's picture , so he knew it was most priceless than any other picture and wanted to possess it. He deserves this reward!

Good forward and truely touching...

Love,
Preethi

Thanx preethi