The Brick
Anon
(contributed by Surabhi Verma via email, without claim to authorship)

About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only two months old. 

He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and - WHUMP! - it smashed into the Jag's shiny black side door! SCREECH!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where the brick had been thrown. Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and pushed him up against a parked car. 

He shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?" Building up a head of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?" 

"Please, mister, please...I'm sorry!" 

"I didn't know what else to do!" Pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop! Tears were dripping down the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother, mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me." 

Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home. It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12-cylinder Jaguar XKE, a long and slow walk.

Josh never did fix the side door of his Jaguar. He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention... 

Some bricks are softer than others. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has positive answers. 

You say: It's impossible 
God says: All things are possible 

You say: I'm too tired 
God says: I will give you rest 

You say: Nobody really loves me 
God says: I love you 

You say: I can't go on 
God says: My grace is sufficient 

You say: I can't figure things out 
God says: I will direct your steps 

You say: I can't do it 
God says: You can do all things 

You say: I'm not able 
God says: I am able 

You say, It's not worth it 
God says: It will be worth it 

You say: I can't forgive myself 
God says: I FORGIVE YOU 

You say: I can't manage 
God says: I will supply all your needs 

You say: I'm afraid 
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear 

You say: I'm always worried and frustrated 
God says: Cast all your cares on ME 

You say: I don't have enough faith 
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith 

You say: I'm not smart enough 
God says: I give you wisdom 

You say: I feel all-alone 
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

Email me at  with your contribution or comments.