As she carefully planned for the trip, she said to herself, "Of course it would be wonderful to eat in the dining room on the boat. I won't have money enough to eat all meals there, but I can take some cheese and crackers along for the first part of the trip, and then I can go to the dining room for the last meal. I'll have money enough for one meal on the boat." In high spirits the good woman set out for the thrilling experience of her first water trip.
At mealtime, after wistfully watching the other passengers file into the dining room, she would go off into some corner and eat her cheese and crackers, trying all the while not to be envious.
Then the last day arrived, and time for the final meal aboard ship. She went in with the other passengers "to eat in style," as she put it.
It was one of life's big moments for her, and she lingered long to enjoy it. When she had at last finished the meal, she sat patiently waiting for her check, but when none was presented to her, she beckoned the waiter and asked for it.
"Let me see your ticket, madam," said the waiter, and when she handed it to him, he gave it back with, "Madam, all your meals were included in the price of the ticket."
Of that woman, without hesitation, we say: "How stupid! Why didn't she look at her ticket? Or why didn't some other passenger tell her she could eat on the boat?" But of ourselves what do we say?
Are we not all passengers on God's big universal ocean liner? In our ignorance of what our ticket includes, do we, like the woman in the story, eat "cheese and crackers"?
"Come, for all things now are ready."
"It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
"Hitherto have ye asked nothing. ... Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full."
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
Let’s make this new year the year that we dare to believe and dare to prosper. Start enjoying your divine inheritance by ignoring the old worn-out limitations of, “It’s too late,” “I’m not qualified,” “I’m too old,” “I’m too young,” “I’ll never earn enough doing that,” and the worst one of all, “That’s too good to be true for me”. Step out boldly knowing that all limiting beliefs are self-imposed. God is for you, not against you. Start cooperating with God by considering what the best thing that could happen to you this year would be.
Artist Darrell Fusaro is a decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran, co-host of the internationally popular weekly podcast, “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” and author of the books, “What if Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?” and “Break Out of Your Box: Be Your Heroic Self”. www.ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com