|
經文：「何必為衣裳憂慮呢？你想野地裡的百合花，怎麼長起來。」（太6:28） 古時有位修士種了一棵橄欖樹。他禱告說：「神阿，它須要水分好叫它柔嫩的根吸收然後成長，求祢降下滋潤的甘霖。」於是神就降下雨來。 後來他又禱告說：「神阿，這顆樹需要日光，求祢賜給它充足的日光。」於是雲散雨停，神就發出日光。 最後他又禱告說：「神阿，現在它需要霜來堅固它的組織。」看哪，那株幼小的植物上果然罩了一層薄霜。但是到了傍晚，它就死了。 於是這位修士去見另一位修士，告訴他自己的經歷。那後來的修士說： 「我也種了一棵小樹，請看它長得多麼茂盛。我沒有為這顆樹操過一點心，只有把它交給它的神。因為造物的神知道它的需要，遠勝過像我這樣無知的人。所以我並不向神提出條件、建議、方法。我只禱告說：『神阿，求祢把它所需要的給它，無論是風、是雨、是霜、是雪、是日光、是其它的甚麼...祢一定知道，也一定會供應。』」--選 新譯｜荒漠甘泉讀書會
|
|
◇◇◇
Scripture: "Consider the lilies, how they grow" (Matt. 6:28). I need oil," said an ancient monk; so he planted an olive sapling. "Lord," he prayed, "it needs rain that its tender roots may drink and swell. Send gentle showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. "Lord," prayed the monk, "my tree needs sun. Send sun, I pray Thee." And the sun shone, gilding the dripping clouds. "Now frost, my Lord, to brace its tissues," cried the monk. And behold, the little tree stood sparkling with frost, but at evening it died. Then the monk sought the cell of a brother monk, and told his strange experience. "I, too, planted a little tree," he said, "and see! it thrives well. But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better what it needs than a man like me. I laid no condition. I fixed not ways or means. 'Lord, send what it needs,' I prayed, 'storm or sunshine, wind, rain, or frost. Thou hast made it and Thou dost know.'" ｜ Mrs. Charles Cowman
|