The One You Feed

There is a story about an old Cherokee who one evening told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two “wolves” inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, worry, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, humor, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf wins?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Finally beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things… And the God of peace will be with you.”

Like the old Cherokee, Paul knew that as human beings we struggle with our emotions, our thoughts, and our actions.  Both remind us that through daily practice we develop the ones that thrive in our lives.

Our prayer today was written by the late Rev. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope. Let us pray: Lord, slow us down. Teach us to stop and listen and focus. Help us to center our lives in you, our Lord and Savior. For this day is a day unlike any other that has ever been, filled with the promise of flowers that have never before bloomed, thoughts that have never been thought, friends that have never been met, prayers that have never been uttered. Grant that we shall not miss it, but shall be alert in all our being to the wonder of it. Fill our hearts with praise and exuberance. Help us to stand on tiptoe to stretch our faith with possibilities of new beginnings. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.