The Donkey, the Rooster and the Candle

In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit's mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? - Romans 8:26-31 HCSB

There is an old tale (whether true or not, I don’t know) about a wise man who was traveling from city to city doing God’s work. All he had was the donkey he rode on, a rooster that woke him in the morning, and a candle to light his studies.

One evening, after a long day of traveling, the elderly man decided to sleep in the forest rather than push on to the next city. As he studied God’s word that evening, a wind arose that blew out his candle. Much to his chagrin, he realized that he didn’t have any way to light it again. So he shrugged his shoulders, thinking that he would simply get what he needed in the city the next day, and went to bed early.

However, within a couple hours a terrible noise woke him. A lion had killed his donkey and his rooster. Needless to say, he was an emotional wreck. Amidst the fear that the lion would return for him, his sorrow at the loss of his donkey and rooster, and his gratitude at having been spared, he wasn’t sure what to think!

One thing was for sure, he didn’t get much sleep that night. Shortly before dawn, he heard a tremendous amount of noise that sounded like a great battle. As he snuck to the edge of the forest, he discovered that a foreign army had attacked the nearby city and completely razed it. Had his donkey or rooster been alive, they might have made a sound that would have betrayed his position to the enemy. Had his candle been lit, the army’s sentinels might have come to investigate and killed him!

We are often frustrated by life’s circumstances. We hurry to an appointment only to be delayed by a flat tire. We apply for a job only to be rejected. There is a tendency to rage and complain, but Hashem, who knows all things, knows what is best and is working it out for our good. Let’s patiently endure – trusting Him to do what’s best.