Happiness Is A Gift

foto: johnscutter.com

You asked for a story so one shall be given. Apparently, our attempts to entertain you work and resonate within you and others as parables of grace that they’re intended to be. So here we go.

One day, in many more millennia than we can count ago, there lived a man who stitched clothes for a living and didn’t ask for anything other than shelter, food and company from time to time to sustain him in return. It so happened that everyone wanted to have him make what clothes they needed, so it was a good thing that there were only a handful of people in their tribe, but one in particular wanted more. Her name was Shelilah, and she looked at the man not with only a parting glance but with an open heart filled with more than compassion. And was looking for more than another dress, for no one took from him more than what as needed – this was not their way. She wanted love. The problem was that he (his name was Ananih) did not not see himself as worthy of anything but service to others and survival for himself.

She spent many hours and days with him, not asking for anything as he toiled throughout, and eventually, as she had work to do as well, he started to no only accept that she would be there but miss her – first as a friend, and then with feelings he never thought existed within him, because he was told at a very young age they never should. Over time, and with her persistence, this changed. One morning he woke confused but also clear what was to be. He woke up thinking about her, and mentally and physically knew he wanted to ask her on her next visit to stay. And then, changing his mind, and standing up straight, he decided no – he would for the first time venture out to find her and ask her then. At which point he crouched down in uncertainty of his ability to do just that, until the first rays of light peeked through his door and, looking up, he saw the full moon still in the sky.

Even the heavens have shown up to witness this moment, he thought. Either they will have a good laugh or smile. Dressing in his best clothes, which he never wore, he took a chance on love. And now a little boy is listening to his father tell this tale and being told to never question what he is worthy of in this world, because happiness is a gift for everyone to embrace.