a man and a snail

Have you guys heard a story about a man taking a stroll with a snail, where during the small walk, the man realized he missed something beautiful and began to learn something simple but important from the snail?

I was suddenly reminded of this story and when i pondered about it again, i still feel it's still a beautiful and meaningful simple story.

So here's the story:

One day there was a man decided to talk a stroll together with a snail to a certain end. So both began walking. But as the man walked at his normal pace, he was far ahead from the snail. The snail could only dragged itself in such a speed. The man realized the snail so left behind, so he tried to slow down so he would walk together with the snail. Once in a while he would grow impatient because the snail was much slower that him. But as he was murmuring inside, he began to notice something else: his surroundings. He began to notice the beautiful flowers by the roadside,the dews on the leaves, the smell of the nature, the vast blue sky stretched from one end to another, the green hills, the beautiful sunny day...he began to appreciate the marvelous creations of God. He thought to himself how could he not notice all the beautiful things around him? He realized he missed all these because he always walked in such a fast pace. 

I am personally touched by this simple story.

In our lives, we are often flooded by worldly cares. Sometimes we feel lives are not entirely free from problems and troubles. And sometimes our hearts are mostly filled by secular things that satisfies our flesh and eyes. Simply put, we just have too much things in our hearts and minds and leave no rooms for the Spirit to dwell.

But remembering this beautiful story reminds me many things.

It reminds me sometimes in our busy lives, we need to slow down and not simply take time to quieten out hearts and draw closer to God. It reminds me of when problems arise, we know God by His wisdom and might He has created the vast universe, is able to help us. The story is also to ponder his marvelous creations.But we need to slow down to be able to see all these; put everything aside and come before God's presence.

Have you ever stood on a cliff and see the vast horizon before your eyes? I remember one time, i was accompanying 2 singaporean brothersto Blue Mountain, New South Wales. At one spot, i stood and watch the blue hills and vast horizon before me. I was quickly reminded me of Hymn 314 "How Great Thou Art". I was moved, amazed, and marveled by it. And it is true you could see God through His creations, even from a little wild flower by the roadside.

I guess sometimes we need to be like the snail. Slowly stroll the life pathway, taking time to remember God and His creation and by this remembering His might. Each one of us has it's own troubles in lives, whether about family, problems at work, personal struggles, uncertain future, etc, but the Lord says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all things will be added unto you" and "Sufficient the day of its own trouble". Don't be eaten up

by our busy lives and things about this world, it's a beautiful thing to take time to slow down and walk with the Lord.

Just something to share :)