Thankless work

A certain man died and went to heaven. He was granted a chance to go round God’s premises and angel Gabriel took him around.

They entered the first department, a huge hall where many angels were busy opening and sorting millions of letters. The man was surprised and asked in amusement, “What are they doing?”

Gabriel answered, “They are sorting prayer requests from people on earth according to their categories, from those who are sick, those asking for jobs, needing deliverance, seeking  divine intervention, etc.

They moved to the next department where they saw almost the same set up, but this time, the angels were sealing and packing letters. Again, the man asked what they were doing and the angel told him that they were sorting God’s replies to the requests made by the people on earth.

Lastly, they went to the last department where they saw only one man sitting and dozing, with nothing much to do. This time, the man asked the angel slowly, “Why is this man sitting here alone?”

Gabriel turned and looked at the man. “This department is never as busy as the other two. The angel here is supposed to be receiving letters of thanksgiving from people on earth who have benefited from God’s replies in the form of blessings, healing and so on… But none of them seem to remember where the blessings came from. That is why this department has only one man to take care of, and he is never busy. That’s why you see him dozing.”

Source:  moralteachingstories.blogspot.com

Image: Postage stamp issued by Brazil to commemorate Thanksgiving Day in 1979, courtesy: Wikimedia Commons