4/27/2014

“To be grateful for the blessings of God in time of want and trouble”

To be grateful for the blessings of God in time of want and trouble is necessary. In the abundance of blessings everyone can be grateful. It is said that Sultán Mahmúd cut a melon and gave a portion of it to Ayáz who ate it cheerfully and expressed gratitude. When the Sultán ate a little of the same melon, he found it bitter. He asked, ‘How did you eat such a bitter melon and show no sign of disliking it?' Ayáz answered, ‘I had eaten many sweet and palatable things from the hands of the Sultán and I thought it very unworthy of me to express dislike on eating a slightly bitter thing today.' Thus man, who is immersed in the blessings of God, should not be grieved if he experiences a little trouble. He should not forget the manifold divine bounties. 
- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, September 2, Montreal, Canada; Mahmud’s Diary’)

4/16/2014

Serving the Cause “no matter what our occupation is”

We can all serve in the Cause of God no matter what our occupation is. No occupation can prevent the soul coming to God. Peter was a fisherman, yet he accomplished most wonderful things; but the heart must be turned always toward God, no matter what the work is; this is the important thing; and then the power of God will work in us. We are like a piece of iron in the midst of the fire which becomes heated to such a degree that it partakes of the nature of the fire and gives out the same effect to all it touches -- so is the soul that is always turned towards God, and filled with the spirit.
- 'Abdu'l-Baha  (‘Abdu’l-Baha’s remarks to a group of pilgrims, 1899; ‘An Early Pilgrimage’, by May Maxwell)