"Four Boyfriends"

I received this e-mail from a friend and I found it very interesting, indeed.

Four Boyfriends

Once upon a time there was a girl who had four
boyfriends.

She loved the fourth boyfriend the most and adorned
him with rich robes and treated him to the finest
of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the third boyfriend very much and was
always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms.
However, she feared that one day he would leave her
for another.

She also loved her second boyfriend. He was her
confident and was always kind,considerate and
patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem,
she could confide in him, and he would help her get
through the difficult times.

The girl's first boyfriend was a very loyal partner
and  had made great contributions in maintaining
her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love
the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply,
she hardly took notice of him!

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time
was short.She thought of her luxurious life and
wondered, 'I now have four boyfriends with me,
but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, she asked the fourth boyfriend, 'I loved you
the most,endowed you with the finest clothing and
showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying,
will you follow me and keep me company?'

'No way!', replied the fourth boyfriend, and he walked
away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp
knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the third boyfriend, 'I loved
you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow
me and keep me company?' 'No!', replied the third
boyfriend. 'Life is too good! When you die, I'm going
to marry someone else!' Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the second boyfriend, 'I have always
turned to you for help and you've always been there
for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me
company?'

'I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!', replied
the second boyfriend. 'At the very most, I can only
walk with you to your grave.' His answer struck her
like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: 'I'll go with you. I'll follow
you no matter where you go.'The girl looked up, and there
was her first boyfriend. He was very skinny as he had
suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken
much better care of you when I had the chance!'

In truth, you have four boyfriends in your lives:

Your fourth boyfriend is your body. No matter how much
time and effort you lavish in making it look good,
it will leave you when you die.

Your third boyfriend is your status, wealth and
possessions. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your second boyfriend is your family and friends. No
matter how much they have been there for you, the
furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your first boyfriend is your spirit. Often neglected
in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the
world.

However, your spirit is the only thing that will follow
you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish
it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow
you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout
Eternity.


Thought for the day:

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're
in the perfect position to pray.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means
you've decided to see beyond the imperfections.