The Hare and the Tortoise

The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me."

     The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."

     "That is a good joke," said the Hare; "I could dance round you all the way."

     "Keep your boasting till you've won," answered the Tortoise. "Shall we race?"

     So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. The Tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise just near the winning-post and could not run up in time to save the race.

     Then the Tortoise said: "Slow but steady progress wins the race."

- an Aesop fable

Have you ever considered what occurred before AND after the race?

Before the race.  I was thinking, the hare asked the tortoise because it knew it would win. Boastful as it is. And the tortoise, having gone through so much life in, feeling burdened by its problems but wanting to achieve something for itself took on the challenge. The hare, being high on spirits believing the fallacy that the children of God are ‘saved’ from trials and hardships gladly raced on.Every single step of the race, the tortoise offered its burdens. Very painful steps, indeed, because it was burdened by its past, haunted and taunted by its own thinking. Not forgiving itself for the sins it has done…but it went on the race.The hare being high on spirits but not yet deeply rooted; was distracted by the goings-on in the forest. Took much time in enjoying certain ‘things’ that are not of importance; resting lazily not minding there is a task that needs to be done.

What you have read.

The tortoise won and the hare lost. 

After the race. Learning from their mistakes. The tortoise now firmly believes that once life may be filled with burdens but it is through the perspective of God’s heart one that should look at life.It prayed that though it may be slow, it may never give up on praying that it’ll never let go again of the hand that saves. And continued with the journey, now, savoring the view along the way. The hare realizing that God’s children is never exempt from temptations and hardships fell on repentant knees. Went back to the real source of its strength and asked forgiveness. It was again back on its feet, joyfully praising God; carefully pausing to smell the right kind of flowers and dutifully serving whence called.The tortoise and the hare never raced again. They realized that it life is not a competition to be raced with your fellow but a journey to be enjoyed with your creator.

Never let go of me, Lord...

I may be slow, but I always pray I'll keep up to my promise that I won't stop running the race...

And be reminded that it was the tortoise who won.

Amen.

by Cheche Espinosa - SFC UAE