Picture of Peace

There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror; for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. this did not look peaceful at all. But when the king looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. there, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird at here nest; perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The king chose the second picture. Do you know why? "Because," explained the king, "Peace does not mean tobe in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

When I read this article forwarded by a friend early this year, instantly I like it. I printed it out, retype it, change the font, and print two copies. One for my own notice board and the other one end up on my brother's notice board. Never come across in my mind that this year, the story will make great sense in my life.

This year alone, I lost my beloved brother, my only aunty and two distant yet so near uncles. Too many things happened this year and really, the sky of my life really reflects an angry picture of rain and thunder and lightning.

This angry sky makes me realized that this world is not my place anymore. I am now changing into another phase of life. A big turnaround. My life goal change. My perspective change. But still, I run the race...i will run and run and run. And I want to end well. To take my place with my brother and love ones in heaven. And above all, I want to see my Heavenly Father face to face..

And that gives me peace in this cruel world.