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Just Passing Through

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I heard a story once about a man who was visiting Israel for the first time. He visited all the usual tourist spots and saw the sacred places where Jesus lived and taught and walked during His time here on earth. He became hungry and visited a place to buy some lunch and happened to meet a Rabbi. They talked and the Rabbi invited him to his home for lunch.  When they got there the man noticed the Rabbi's home was sparsely furnished with just a table and two chairs, a bed and a place to prepare his meals. He said Rabbi! You are such an important person here and you have so much authority. Where are all your belongings? The Rabbi said, Where are yours? The man said, Oh but I'm just here for a visit, I'm just passing through. The Rabbi smiled and said, So am I.

We're only here a little while, And then we have to go. We're sent down here from Heaven, A message to bestow; A message sent from God above, To tell us of His love, Reminding us to keep the faith, And that we cannot shove, The message He has sent us, Down each other's throat. It must be given gently, Or else we tend to bloat, And it becomes a painful thing, That cannot be digested. We have an awesome duty, And we have been invested, With power and authority, To overcome the foe, But we must use it wisely, And try hard not to grow, Too big to do a proper job, In our own eyes become, Too important for the task, For when all's said and done, We're only here a little while, And time is not our friend. Don't waste what little time you have. Who knows when it will end.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2021




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Date: 7/2/2021 12:32:00 PM
WOW!!! What a "Great" story/write. I Love It. A Favorite. This needs to be framed. Thank You, for writing it. Have a blessed day...............
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Judy Ball
Date: 7/4/2021 6:44:00 AM
Thank you so much Paula. God Bless, JB
Date: 7/1/2021 6:26:00 PM
Great message, Judy. Great poem!... btw: in the generation before mine, I actually saw people who had their suitcases packed every night under their beds, in anticipation of the Messiah coming that night! -- Don't see it anymore, though. Perhaps it exists in Williamsburg, NY and Jerusalem. Used to have people like this in Chicago. Now, too much materialism. :) gw
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Judy Ball
Date: 7/4/2021 6:38:00 AM
Love that memory my friend. Being ready to grab a suitcase and go n case He comes for you. Wonderful stuff. God Bless, JB
Date: 7/1/2021 3:39:00 PM
A bed to lie in and a roof over our heads with just enough food, we need nothing else. Tom
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Judy Ball
Date: 7/4/2021 6:37:00 AM
Amen my friend. I have learned that enough is plenty. Thanks bunches, God Bless, JB
Date: 6/30/2021 11:15:00 PM
Important message. Many say they believe, but in reality, they think only of themselves. Hugs.
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Judy Ball
Date: 7/1/2021 9:20:00 AM
So true Victor. Thanks so much. God Bless, JB
Date: 6/30/2021 9:14:00 PM
Wonderful message Judy. We are here for short time, have no attachments.if you get time read Kabir ke dohe. They are couplets written by Indian Saint Kabir Das. You will love them. Your poem reminded me of one of his couplet God give me just enough to feed myself and anybody who comes asking for food. Love reading your poems
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Judy Ball
Date: 7/1/2021 9:13:00 AM
Thanks you so much Rama. Love the small but meaningful prayer. When you have enough to feed yourself and another who needs to be fed you truly have enough. Good stuff God Bless, JB
Date: 6/30/2021 7:01:00 PM
I love this, Judy! Well written with a fantastic message! Blessings, Kim M
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Judy Ball
Date: 7/1/2021 9:06:00 AM
Thank you so much Kim. God Bless, JB
Date: 6/30/2021 4:24:00 PM
What a lovely story with great lessons for us Judy, indeed we are all just passing through! Your piece is penned so well with nice rhyme and flow with good imagery too along with lessons to act on every day. Hope you're well and keeping safe, God bless,Gordon
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Judy Ball
Date: 6/30/2021 4:31:00 PM
Thank you so much Gordon. God Bless, JB

Book: Reflection on the Important Things