Too late

As we grow older we develop long sight and have difficulty seeing what's near. But in matters of the soul, perhaps it works the other way around? There is a saying that God hides things by keeping them near us. In our youth, our eyes fixed on distant oases, we pass nurturing wellsprings unaware. As we grow older, we start noticing the treasures right next to us, we start valuing people whom we took for granted earlier, we recognize blessings.

But all this, after we have spent our youth chasing mirages while we let what could have sustained us wear away with our thoughtlessness and neglect.

At times, the fatted calf may be killed and a feast laid out to celebrate our return*. But at other times, the prodigal could well find that there is no one at home any more, that it is just a little too late.

Ref: The Parable of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15: 11-32 , The New Testament.

Nov 14, 2003