A Twenty-first Century Parable

            Mike walked along staring at the pavement in front of him.  His expression was that of someone walking through gloom.  Above his head was a beautiful blue sky with the most exquisite white fluffy clouds in all sizes and shapes but Mike was not looking.

            Mike had just lost his love, or thought he had.  They had parted with unkind words and those words rang through his ears even as he walked, drowning out the sweet sound of the singing birds and the whisper of the soft cool breeze.

            Mike did not even notice that those wonderful fluffy clouds were standing right between him and the sun so, although it was a bright beautiful day the suns glare was not present, only it’s wonderful light.

            As Mike walked further he noticed some children playing basketball in the street using a waste basket and an old soccer ball.  They ran after the ball shot for the basket but if they made one the ball would simply knock the basket over and roll out again.  This didn’t bother the kids.  They counted it a basket and added the points to their score. 

            Mike stopped and watched.  He became aware that they did not mind the fact that the basket kept falling over and the ball never seemed to really go in or that if it did it would simply roll out again as the basket tipped over.  He couldn’t help but ask one of the boys why they didn’t mind.

            “We don’t have a real basket,” replied the boy.  “We just use what we have.  My Dad always told me to make the best of what you have and you will never be unhappy.”

            Mike contemplated this but right now he did not have his love so he found little to make the best of.  Then the thought crossed his mind.  If the basket tips, it’s still a hit.  The boys still score a point.  They were not expecting perfection; they were accepting things as they were.  Now his mind wondered back to his love.  Had he expected too much?  So what if she did say things that hurt.  He did that too.  So what if everyday did not bring sunshine?  Is there no place for rain?

            It was then that Mike decided that if he could be more forgiving with his love, she might be more forgiving of him.  He would make the first step.  He headed home to make a call

            Later that afternoon Mike was walking outside again.  He had called his love.  Before he could apologize she did.  It seems they both knew that they were expecting too much from one another.

            Now Mike noticed those beautiful clouds.  He admired the glorious blue sky and he even dared to look at the sun which was just showing at the edge of one of the white clouds.  Life is like that.  It rains.  It shines.  It has valleys and it has mountains to climb.  Love will overcome any obstacle that might stand in your way.  Pray to God for eyes to see but once he gives them to you, use them.