Once an unhappy young man came to an old master and told he was very sad and asked for a solution.
The old Master instructed the unhappy young man to put a handful of salt in a glass of water and then to drink it.
"How does it taste?" the Master asked.
"Awful," spat the apprentice.
The Master chuckled and then asked the young man to take another handful of salt and put it in the lake. The two walked in silence to the nearby lake and when the apprentice swirled his handful of salt into the lake, the old man said, "Now drink from the lake."
As the water dripped down the young man's chin, the Master asked, "How does it taste?"
"Good!" remarked the apprentice.
"Do you taste the salt?" asked the Master.
"No," said the young man.
The Master sat beside this troubled young man, took his hands, and said, "The pain of life is pure salt; no more, no less. The amount of pain in life remains the same, exactly the same. But the amount we taste the 'pain' depends on the container we put it into. So when you are in pain, the only thing you can do is to enlarge your sense of things.....
Stop being a glass. Become a lake!"
A water bearer had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot always arrived only half full. For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, fulfilled in the design for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was unable to accomplish what it had been made to do.
After two years of enduring this bitter shame, the pot spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself and I apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and was cheered somewhat. But at the end of the trail, it still felt the old shame because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you not notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, and not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we've walked back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow Him, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you, too, can bring something beautiful to the Father.
Before marriage :
Boy: Yes. At last. It was so hard to wait.
Girl: Do you want me to leave?
Boy: NO! Don't even think about it.
Girl: Do you love me?
Boy: Of course! Over and over!
Girl: Have you ever cheated on me?
Boy: NO! Why are you even asking?
Girl: Will you kiss me?
Boy: Every chance I get!
Girl: Will you hit me?
Boy: Are you crazy! I'm not that kind of person!
Girl: Can I trust you?
Boy: Yes.
Girl: Darling!
After marriage - - - simply read from bottom to top
Eating is simple. Eating out isn't … if you're traveling in a foreign country, that is! But don't panic – we won't let you starve. Check out this list of important dining phrases that will surely help you ease those hunger pangs!
1. I'd like to make a reservation. For some restaurants, you’ll need to call in advance to secure a table. Be prepared to give the number of people in your group, the time you will arrive and your name. "I’d like to make a reservation for four at 8 p.m. for Kristi." The receptionist may ask for your phone number or about your smoking preference, so have this information ready.
2. Could you repeat that, please? This phrase isn't unique to eating out, but it's very important. Restaurants can be loud. Waiters talk fast. If you don't understand something, ask them, "Could you repeat that?" Of course, a simple, "Excuse me?" will also work. Don’t be afraid to use it often!
3. We need another minute. Use this phrase if the waiter approaches to take your order, but you’re not ready. You’ll hear, "Are you ready to order?" Respond with, "Not yet. We need another minute," or "Can we have another minute?" Be aware that "a minute" in a busy restaurant usually means the waiter will return in five.
4. I'd like/I'll have ... These are the two most important phrases! Use "I'd like …" or "I'll have …" when ordering your food and drinks. For example, "I'd like the spaghetti and some tea," or, "I'll have a sandwich and a soft drink." Pointing at the menu always works, too!
5. Could you bring …?/Do you have …? If there's something you need or would like more of, say, "Could you bring some extra napkins?" If you'd like an item you’re not sure the restaurant has then try, "Do you have …?" For example, if you want orange juice but don’t see it listed, ask, "Do you have orange juice?"
6. This isn't what I ordered. If the server brings you the wrong dish, say, "This isn't what I ordered, I ordered …" and continue with the name of the dish you wanted. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, make sure you do something about it.
7. Check, please! When you're ready to go, catch the waiter's attention and say, "Check, please!" for a short and simple end to your meal
Ta-Ta