TWO BUILDERS

"I don't bother over anything that is replaceable when damaged or lost: because it can be replaced, I only bother about those things that can't be replaced, like life." - Esther Omiunu

TWO BUILDERS

It is funny how people go through life, striving, toiling and worrying about things that are temporal. Things that eventually pass. Most, completely forget to consider the truly important things in life - family, relationship and their soul.

A little boy is on his knees scooping sand with plastic shovels building a sand castle. All afternoon he works, packing the walls. Bottle caps will be sentries. Sticks will be bridges. A sand castle will be built. Meanwhile, a man is at his desk shuffling papers into stacks and delegating assignments. He cradles the phone on his shoulder and punches the keyboard. Numbers are juggled and contracts are signed. Much to his delight, profit is made. All his life he works. Formulating the plans. Forecasting the future. Annuities will be sentries. Capital gains will be bridges. An empire will be built. Two builders, two castles. They - the boy and the man - have much in common. They shape granules into grandeur. They see nothing and make something. They are diligent and determined. For both the tide will rise and the end will come. Yet, this is where the similarities cease. The boy sees the end, while the man is unaware of it. As the waves near, the child jumps to

his feet and begins to clap: There's no sorrow, no fear nor regret. He knew the end would come. He's not surprised. When the wave crashes into his castle, and his masterpiece is leveled, he smiles, picks up his tools, takes his father’s hand and goes home. He's prepared for it. The executive with his education and training however, is not so wise. As the inevitable waves of life approach he is terrified. He hovers over the sandy monument to protect it. He blocks the waves from the walls he has made. Salt-water soaked and shivering he snarls at the incoming tide.

"It’s my castle," he defies.

The ocean need not respond. Both know to whom the sand belongs - the earth!

I don’t know much about sand castles. But children do, learn from them. By all means build, but build with a child’s heart. When the sun sets and the tides approach applaud. The child is aware his castle won't last forever and enjoys his feat for as long as it lasts, while preparing to go home anytime. But not so with the executive. He prepares for everything else, but going home. Are you planning to go home? What happens when 'The Father' stretches His hand to you saying, "its time to go home."? Your life is more valuable. Prepare for home.