~JOURNEY "Spiritual Happenings"~

	The King and his four wives   Once upon a time there was a king who had four wives. He loved the fourth woman more than all the others. He would give her elaborate gifts and surrounded her withe much care. He would shower her with the best.   He loved also his third wife, and would present her with pride to other neighboring kings. But, he was concerned that she would leave one day with another king.   He also loved his second wife. She was his confidant; every time he had a problem, he would talk to her about it.   The king's first wife was his companion. His most loyal companion; it was with her that he built his kingdom. However, he didn't sufficiently love his first wife. He'd give her less importance. ~    One day the king fell gravely sick. On the verge of death, he started to reflect: "I have four wives, but, when I'll die, I'll be alone".   He then called his fourth wife and tells her; "I love you more that all my other wives.  I gave you the best I have, now that I'm dying, Would you like to come with me? Would you like to be my companion forever?"  "Are you crazy?"  she asked, before leaving without adding a word. Her answer penetrated deeply in the king's heart, like a sharp knife.   The king then tells his third wife; "I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, are you disposed to follow me?" "NO!", she answered, "life is too beautiful. When you are dead I will re-marry!" That answer surprised the king, and it made sadder.   He then tells his second wife: "I always came to you in my difficult moments, and you always helped me.  Now that I will die, do you want to follow me?" She answered: "I really am sorry I cannot follow you, but I promise I will give you a nice funeral".   The king was at a loss.  All his life, he had mistaken himself on the sentiments of his wives.   He then heard a voice saying: "Me, I will go with you. I will follow you everywhere you will go!"   It was his first wife that had just talked. The king looked at her and he became ashamed. She was thin, sick and resigned. He then said; "You are the one I shoudl have loved the most out of all the others when I was able to". ~    ~    ~    ~   IN REALITY, each of us has four wives.   ~Our fourth wife is our body. Whatever care we give it, it will leave us the day we will die.   ~Our third wife is our wealth and our social situation. At our death, we bring nothing with us.   ~Our second wife is our friends and family. The are a great support to us.  But the day we die, all they can do for us is to organize our funeral.   ~Our first wife is our SOUL that we often forget and treat so badly. Nevertheless, she is the only one who accompanies us everywhere.   Let's take the time to attend her, to upkeep her so she will be beautiful and heathy. NOW! It is the biggest gift you can offer the world: MAKE HER SHINE! ~    ~    ~    ~   If you are convinced, then re-collect yourself a moment and pray an "OUR FATHER" for the person who created this. She thought of your SOUL.   You too think of your Soul and others who needs this message. And you will help them not to forget the Essential.   May GOD BLESS YOU and help you to watch over your FIRST WIFE! ~    ~    ~    ~ CORDIALLY Author unknown to me.

	This was written down when our record player was still working and I was listening to an old 45rpm record.  That was a song I loved allot and that record had played so much that it had quite a few scratchy spots here and there. Reflecting of that this came to mind:   “A scratchy record can become like our prayers, who are repeated over and over again until they may sound ‘scratchy’ like, because of our constant asking to the ears of Our Father.”   That is so true.  We pray and pray for years, for me it has been at least at least fifty nine years now.  I think I was praying at the age of four.  I was certainly praying at least at six years of age, when I celebrated my First Holy Communion.  So, all those fifty nine years of praying must sound “scratchy” to Our Father’s ear.