setup: [E-Mail Ministry] The Grandfather's Table

The following is an E-Mail Ministry message. If you are not already a
subscriber and would like to be, please see the bottom of this message.
UNSUBSCRIBE and CHANGE OF ADDRESS information at the end of this e-mail.

<><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><

THE GRANDFATHER'S TABLE

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year
old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and
his step faltered. The family ate together at the table, but the elderly
grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas
rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled
on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do
something about Grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled
milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor." Therefore, the husband and wife
set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest
of the family enjoyed dinner. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two,
his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in
Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he
dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence. One evening before supper, the
father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the
child sweetly, "What are you making?"

Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you
and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and
went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears
started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew
what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to
the family table. For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the
family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any
longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever
listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see
us patiently, provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will
imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes
that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child's future.
Let us be wise builders and role models.

-- Author Unknown

<><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><     <><
THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT VIA YAHOO GROUPS

To learn more about E-Mail Ministry and read previous messages, visit our
web site at: http://www.emailministry.org

HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? Send a blank e-mail to:
emailministry-subscribe@googlegroups.com
or go to: http://www.emailministry.org/subscribe.asp
Messages are sent out on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. Subscribe now, it's
FREE!

SUPPORT E-MAIL MINISTRY:
E-Mail Ministry is solely supported by its subscribers. To make a financial
contribution, go to: http://www.emailministry.org/donate.asp
E-Mail Ministry is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

HOW DO I SUBMIT A MESSAGE FOR E-MAIL MINISTRY? Send it to
emailministry@emailministry.org

HOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE? If you are a subscriber, send a blank e-mail to
EMailMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
or go to: http://www.emailministry.org/unsubscribe.asp
If this message was forwarded to you from another person, please notify them
that you are not interested in receiving any further messages.

To CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: UNSUBSCRIBE from the old e-mail address and
SUBSCRIBE from the new e-mail address or go to:
http://www.emailministry.org/updateEmail.asp

LEGAL STUFF: E-Mail Ministry and its sponsor run this message as submitted
and do not claim to own any copyright privileges on it. The work was
submitted to us as an item for distribution, and it was posted solely on the
basis of its quality. It is the belief of E-Mail Ministry and its sponsors
that this message is in the common domain.

"E-Mail Ministry" is a trademark of E-Mail Ministry, Inc.

-- The Staff of E-Mail Ministry
   emailministry@emailministry.org
   http://www.emailministry.org