I was out walking and noticed a shop I had been passing practically every day without ever going in. Out of curiosity, I stepped inside to see what was being sold there.
Won over by the beauty of the place, I greeted the shopkeeper and enquired: "What do you sell here?"
"We sell God’s gifts," answered the young man.
I went on: "That is a fine thing, that. How many are there and how much do they cost?"
The young shopkeeper said: "They cost nothing. Everything in the shop is free".
I let my eyes wander and caught sight of containers marked LOVE, barrels marked FAITH, parcels marked HOPE, boxes marked SALVATION, cartons marked FORGIVENESS, lots marked WISDOM, enormous sacks marked PEACE and many other gifts besides.
Dazzled by so many good things, I turned to the shopkeeper: "Please, I will take the largest container of LOVE you have, all the cartons of FORGIVENESS and one large barrel of HOPE for my friends, my family and myself."
The shopkeeper withdrew to prepare my order. He then came back with a tiny little parcel for me. The parcel was so small that it could sit in the palm of my hand.
With a suspicious, questioning look, I asked the young shopkeeper: "How could everything I asked for possibly fit into such a small parcel?"
And the shopkeeper answered with a smile: "In God’s shop, we do not sell the fruit, only the seeds. Plant them and you will have the fruit of your desires" .
You who are reading me today, I would like to say this to you: you have always had the Creator’s support, you have always had everything you need to live a life of harmony. But all of it comes in the form of grains, of seeds, of potential.
Ask for the seed and plant it with your actions.
When you draw up your list for 2022, ask for the means, the people, the knowledge and the opportunities to take action. Then plant them, water them, work fertilizer into them, do your very best and watch the fruit of your efforts grow.
I pray that the seeds you planted this year will bring you the fruit of your desires next year.
When you think back on 2021, take note of the efforts, the sacrifices, the joys, the victories and the progress you knew in it. Be grateful for all of that, congratulate yourselves and expect blessings for 2022.
The pandemic and the crises of every kind have made it practically impossible to imagine a radiant future. That is why I took seeds of HOPE for you, my friends, my family and myself. Be blessed, and let us always aim far.
A good and happy new year 2022!!!
M.Z.
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