سؤال محرج

Embarrassing Question

My mother was a beautiful young woman who loved God and was deeply involved with the church. Her mother was the selfless type, always putting her children’s needs before her own. My mother learned this self-sacrificing love from her mother and the church.

After my mother married, she was unable to have children, so she thought about adopting. She adopted an infant and raised him with great care in the fear of God. Because of her love for this adopted child, God also granted her a biological child.

As we grew up, one of us was frail and frequently ill, while the other was strong both in body and mind. He was outgoing and brave and would often playfully tease his brother. We lived in a loving household.

One day, while out shopping for clothes and sweets for the upcoming feast, my mother ran into an old friend she hadn’t seen in years. They hugged warmly and chatted. Then, to my mother’s surprise, her friend asked, “Which one of the boys did you adopt?” My mother was taken aback by this embarrassing question and tried to signal to her friend to be quiet. We then returned home.

At home, we asked our mother: “Which one of us did you adopt?” She tried to avoid the question, but we persisted. Finally, she admitted that I was the adopted child, even though I was the physically and mentally stronger one, while my brother was the one who was often sick.

I was moved by this revelation, but I jokingly told my brother, “You were forced upon her because you’re her biological child, but she chose and adopted me, so I am better than you!”

As time went on, my brother suffered from various illnesses. One day, after returning from school, he had a high fever. My mother took him to the doctor, who attempted to treat his serious condition. My mother spent many nights by my brother’s side until he eventually passed away. We grieved deeply for him.

Days later, after lunch, my mother asked me to come to her room to talk about something important. It was unusual for her to do so. After lunch, I hurried to her room. She hugged and kissed me, then said, “My son, I need you to forgive me for a mistake I made against you.”

“What mistake did you make, Mom? You’re wonderful and don’t make mistakes,” I replied.

She said, “When I saw your brother was weak physically and mentally, I was afraid to tell him he was the adopted one. So, I told you that you were the adopted child, and he was my biological son. But that wasn’t true. I lied because I was afraid your brother couldn’t handle the truth.”

I took my mother’s hands, kissed them, and said, “You are amazing, Mom, always caring about the feelings of those around you. May God keep you for me.” Then I hugged her tightly, we both kissed, and our tears flowed freely.

Always consider the feelings of those around you. Have empathy and put yourself in their place to understand and support them with love without hurting them.

Don’t be upset by embarrassing questions you face; God will support you and guide your words for your and others’ benefit. Be assured that God is with you as long as you are hold on to Him.

From “Your planning surpasses understanding”: Part Eight.

Where will the House of the Lord be Built?

It is said that a brother, grateful for his abundant harvest, thanked God for His gifts. He thought, “My married brother needs this harvest more than I do. I will take some of what my God has given me to him… giving him what is not mine but God’s anyway!” And indeed, he took some of his harvest to his brother’s storehouse.

The brother was overjoyed and decided to repeat the gesture the next night, which made him very happy. He repeated this for several nights, but his harvest did not decrease but increased!

One night, as he was carrying his share to his brother’s storehouse, praising God joyfully, he saw a shadow in the darkness: a man carrying a harvest… approaching him. It was his brother!

They dropped what they were carrying and embraced. They discovered that each had been bringing part of his harvest to the other, thinking the other needed it more.

Here, two hearts moved with love, grateful and praising God, met…

On this site is where Solomon’s Temple was built according to Jewish traditions.

Do you want to contribute to the House of the Lord?

Do you want to build the House of the Lord?

Offer love to your brother. Be ready to sacrifice your life for his sake. God will accept your worship, praises, and thanksgivings. He will establish His kingdom within you (Luke 17:21), reveal God’s heavens in you, and share in His Divine Nature (2 Peter 1:4), embodying God’s extraordinary love for humanity. And you will enjoy fellowship with the heavenly beings whose language is love, joy, and unceasing praise!

Where sincere brotherly love exists, the Lord builds His hidden house, reveals His glory, and the whole world becomes the Lord’s dwelling!

A story from the tradition from the book: “Short Stories for Boys”.

Verse to Memorize

✝ “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way” (Hebrews 12:12).