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Art Collecting
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared
a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding
only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso,
Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The
widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an
experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind
caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around
the world. As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man
left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received
a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously
awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his
fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier
to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas
holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season- a season that he and
his son had so looked forward to-would visit his house no longer. On Christmas
morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to
the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son
was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a
large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was
a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come
in for a few moments?I have something to show you." As the two began to talk,
the solider told of how the man's son had told everyone of his-not to mention
his father's- love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I
want
to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to
reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it
the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking
detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the solider, promising to hang
the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had
departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went
above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then
the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been
given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even
though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of
those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of
wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of
his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction
began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized
possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around
the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever
received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation. With the collector's passing, and his only son dead,
those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old
man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had
received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around
the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings.
Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would
claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that
was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The
auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open the
bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of
the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son.
Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who
will
take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten
dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to
have it." "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the
auctioneer.
After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The
gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on
with it and we can bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the
audience and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the
room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come
here for a picture of some old guy's son What about all of these paintings?
There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's
going on here!." The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to
the will of the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all."
>> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
> > > >
Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art collectors
discovered on that Christmas day, the message is still the same - the love of
a Father - a Father whose greatest joy came from his son who went away and
gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever
takes the Son gets it all.
We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to find that it
is God who is shaking them.
- Charles C. West
 
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