The Man Who Had Nothing

The man awoke in the morning. He thanked God for the new day and his life.

He said,"I give it all to you my God".

And the man had nothing.

As he ate his daily bread, he thought, "This is a gift from God. Thanks be to God."

And the man had nothing.

As he started his daily work, he said, "My God, I give the efforts and accomplishments of the day to you."

And the man had nothing.

After work, the man stretched, moved his body and lifted weights to exercise. He said "Thank you God for this body you have given me. I offer you the aches and pains, the thirst and hunger, and the activities of my body."

And the man had nothing.

The man thought of the people written on his heart, the people he loved. He said, "My God, I give all these people to you. I offer up my sufferings for them. May your love for them flow through me."

And the man had nothing.

As the man paid his bills, he thanked God for the money he had earned. He gave alms as part of his bill paying. He saved money for later. He said "I offer my money to you my God. I thank you for its use. May I spend and save wisely for the good of those I love."

And the man had nothing.

As the man read, wrote, and studied that evening, he offered it up to God. He thanked God for the learning.

And the man had nothing.

As the man prayed before sleep, he thanked God for the day. He said, "My God, I offer you all my prayers, works, joys, sorrows and sufferings of this day. I thank you for Your goodness and life."

And the man had nothing.

As the man laid down to sleep, he said to himself,

"The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

In verdant pasturees he gives me repose,

beside restful waters he leads me,

He refreshes my soul.

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me in right paths,

for the sake of His rightousness.

Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil.

For you are at my side with your rod and your staff,

that give me courage.

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me, in the sight of my foes.

You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness shall follow me, all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever." (Psalm 23)

The man slept well, in the care of God.

And the man had nothing.