(This story is long but it`s a good one!!)
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man
who, with his devoted young son, shared
a passion for art collecting. Together
they traveled around the world, adding
only the finest art treasures to their
collection. Priceless works by Picasso,
Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned
the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man looked on with
satisfaction, as his only child became
an experienced art collector. The son's
trained eye and sharp business mind
caused his father to beam with pride as
they dealt with art collectors around
the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the
nation, and the young man left to serve
his country. After only a few short
weeks, his father received a telegram.
His beloved son was missing in action.
The art collector anxiously awaited more
news, fearing he would never see his son
again. Within days, his fears were
confirmed. The young man had died while
rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced
the upcoming Easter holidays with
anguish and sadness. The joy of the
season, a season that he and his son had
so looked forward to, would visit his
house no longer.
On Easter morning, a knock on the door
awakened the depressed old man. As he
walked to the door, the masterpieces of
art on the walls only reminded him that
his son was not coming home. As he
opened the door, he was greeted by a
soldier with a large package in his
hand. He introduced himself to the man
by saying, "I was a friend of your son.
I was the one he was rescuing when he
died. May I come in for a few moments? I
have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier
told of how the man's son had told
everyone of his father's love of fine
art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier,
"and I want to give you this." As the
old man unwrapped the package, the paper
gave way to reveal a portrait of the
man's son. Though the world would never
consider it the work of a genius, the
painting featured the young man's face
in striking detail. Overcome with
emotion, the man thanked the soldier,
promising to hang the picture above the
fireplace. A few hours later, after the
soldier had departed, the old man set
about his task.
True to his word, the painting went
above the fireplace, pushing aside
thousands of dollars of paintings. And
then the man sat in his chair and spent
Easter gazing at the gift he had been
given.
During the days and weeks that followed,
the man realized that even though his
son was no longer with him, the boy's
life would live on because of those he
had touched. He would soon learn that
his son had rescued dozens of wounded
soldiers before a bullet stilled his
caring heart. As the stories of his
son's gallantry continued to reach him,
fatherly pride and satisfaction began to
ease the grief. The painting of his son
soon became his most prized possession,
far eclipsing any interest in the pieces
for which museums around the world
clamored. He told his neighbors it was
the greatest gift he had ever
received.
The following spring, the old man
became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation.
With the collector's passing, and his
only son dead, those paintings would be
sold at an auction. According to the
will of the old man, all of the art
works would be auctioned on Easter day,
the day he had received his greatest
gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors
from around the world gathered to bid on
some of the world's most spectacular
paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled
this day; greatness would be achieved as
many would claim "I have the greatest
collection." The auction began with a
painting that was not on any museum's
list. It was the painting of the man's
son. The auctioneer asked for an opening
bid. The room was silent. "Who will open
the bidding with $100?" he asked.
Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the
back of the room came, "Who cares about
that painting? It's just a picture of
his son.
Let's forget it and go on to the good
stuff." More voices echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one first,"
replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will
take the son?"
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke:
"Will you take ten dollars for the
painting? That's all I have. I knew the
boy, so I'd like to have it."
"I have ten dollars, will anyone go
higher?" called the auctioneer. After
more silence, the auctioneer said,
"Going once, going twice. Gone." The
gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and
someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on
with it and we can bid on these
treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the
audience and announced the auction was
over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room.
Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you
mean it's over? We didn't come here for
a picture of some old guy's son. What
about all of these paintings? There are
millions of dollars of art here! I
demand that you explain what's going on
here!" The auctioneer replied, "It's
very simple. According to the will of
the father, whoever takes the son . . .
gets it all!"
Just as those art collectors discovered
on that Easter day, the message is still
the same - the love of a Father - a
Father whose greatest joy came from His
Son who went away and gave his life
rescuing others.
And because of that Father's love..,
whoever takes the Son gets it all.
(sent to me by Shelly [dhoskins])
Thank you!
If you see your work here and you want credit for it, please send me an email, and I will make it right.
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