麻豆约拍

A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Zahid Hussain

Good Morning.

Sometimes it feels as though our entire world is in constant turmoil. During such times it鈥檚 useful to wake up early and listen to the birds singing and re-find our purpose.

It can be hard to do.

Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant who lived in Arabia. He traded in a local market where he sold his wares brought by ship from all over the world. One day a young man ran up to the merchant鈥檚 stall and cried, 鈥淏ad news! Your ship was been lost at sea!鈥�

The Merchant who was busy with a customer paused for a moment. He said, 鈥淎lhamdolillah!鈥� (All Praise be to God!) before turning back to his work.
The young man, confused, hurriedly departed.

A few days later the youth returned and shot straight for the merchant. This time he said, 鈥淕ood news! Your ship has come into port!鈥�

Once again, the merchant paused for a moment and said, 鈥淎lhamdolillah!鈥�

The surprised youth asked, 鈥淏ut why? When we thought the ship was lost you said 鈥淎lhamdolillah鈥� and now it has been found you say 鈥淎lhamdolillah鈥�?鈥�
The merchant smiled. 鈥淓verything belongs to God,鈥� he said, 鈥渨hether he gives something or takes it away, I am content either way.鈥�

And the youth replied, 鈥淎lhamdolillah!鈥�

Dear Lord, fill our hearts with gratitude for everything you have blessed us with from the breath in our bodies to the things we can sense. And fill us with gratitude for the embracing love of our family and friends.

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