A sweet little girl named Cheryl was the joy of her parents. She lacked for nothing essential and had not a care in the world. She repaid her parents’ solicitude with obedience and her natural vivacious smile which always lit up a room. As she climbed in age, exposure to friends in high school as well as an increasing awareness of her own abilities began to weaken her respect for her parents. Formerly, she sought her parent’s guidance for she knew they always had her best interest at heart. Formerly, she knew all that she possessed was the result of her parent’s efforts. Formerly, she sought to make her parents proud.

Now, she wishes to stand out among her friends. “Off course, they should send me to school, off course they should take care of me – isn’t that what parents are supposed to do?” She had normalized the great love showered on her and no longer appreciated it. She uses the resources provided by her parents to live a comfortable live. She could explain the benefits of these resources but no longer acknowledged its source.

Decades past and the memory of her parents faded. She relied solely on her own limited intelligence as well as the opinion of others to navigate through life without even considering for one second that a higher guidance was available to her. In quiet moments, she is often consumed by an inner emptiness but she consoles herself with the thought that these ails must be part of life. Afterall it is the same with her friends.

…

What is the point of understanding the characteristics of the sun and its impact on life on earth if one does not appreciate the love of its Creator who proffers this great Star for the benefit of all creatures in the solar system?

What is the point of understanding the function of every organ in the human body if one does not bow down in awe at the wisdom of its Designer?

What is the point of understanding the benefit of the abundant resources beneath the soil if one does not receive the gifts in the spirt with which they were given?

The acknowledgement of the existence of a greater wisdom must first burst through before the search for the path to inner peace can commence.