Day 28. Prize Present Blessings
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"Their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight." Luke 24:31
All along the way, Jesus had walked with these disciples, pouring the warmth of His spirit upon them; but they did not recognize Him — until the moment of His vanishing out of their sight. It is the same with us, and many of our best blessings.
We do not recognize them — until they are taking their flight. We do not prize health — until it is broken. Our common privileges we do not value — until something deprives us of them. Our homes appear old-fashioned — until we are thrown homeless upon the world.
It is the same with our friends. We do not see the beauties of their character, not perceive their real worth — until in some way we have lost them. This is specially true of the friends who are nearest to us in our own households.
They seem to us commonplace, because they are always moving before us. Their help is so perpetual, and their ministry is so unbroken — that we do not learn their value to us. But some day, one of these friends vanishes out of our sight.
The familiar form is seen no more. The voice of tender love is heard no more. The quiet, gentle ministry ceases. Tomorrow we miss the friend; then in the vanishing — we learn what he was to us.
Should we not get a lesson here? Shall we not try to prize our blessings — while we have them? The vacant chair should not be the first revealer of a loving friend.
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