By God’s mercy, we managed to sort everything out, organized everything on the shelves, and entered everything into the catalogs (to make it easier to find the necessary remedies-thoughts)… In our little village, it is not customary to say “thank you”; the elder teaches us to express gratitude with the words “What can I do for you?”. We are sincerely grateful to you for your help (we wouldn’t have managed without you), and if we can serve you in any way – we will be very happy (so that our current joy for you may increase a hundredfold)!..
Oh, what time is it that the watchman is coming (to close the pharmacy)? You ask: how did I know it was the watchman? – He always hums this song (the elder encourages the whole “chicken coop” to sing it as often as possible and to think about the words, that is, to act according to the commandment: sing wisely, pray wisely – do everything with attention, understanding-discernment, and reverence (before God, in God, and for God) for the sake of repentance!):
Somewhere in a distant land and long ago
Lived a wise and experienced elder.
He told everyone and repeated every day:
“Glory to God for sorrow and joy.”
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
The Lord God gives everything that the soul needs,
Do not complain about the hard road.
Sincerely thank for everything, and always say:
“Thus, it pleases the Lord God.”
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
Learn to always do God’s will,
It may be that you will be persecuted:
With a bundle in hand, with tears in your eyes
And unknown to your family.
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
If you are ill and exhausted in the fight,
And cannot rise from your bed –
There are places for good, this is given for sin,
Do not complain or be afraid.
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
If you become cheerful, always healthy,
Have faithful friends for support,
Then be attentive, and do not forget
To sincerely thank the Lord God.
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
When a neighbor slanders you, condemns you,
Do not succumb to sorrow and grief –
Know, the Lord has destined all this for salvation,
So that we forgive and be perfect.
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
If there is sorrow, or grief, or pain,
Or if you have to suffer something,
Do not be sad, do not weep, but repeat again:
“Everything is given to sinners by the Lord.”
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
When temptation comes, that your cross is too heavy,
And you can no longer bear it,
Know, if you could not, the Lord would not give it,
So accept everything in love and peace.
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
Our years will pass, all friends will leave,
Old age will sneak up unnoticed,
But always affirm and say then:
“Everything is from God,” as the wise elder taught.
Glory to God for everything! Glory to God for everything!
Glory to God for sorrow and joy!
(Sing those who “doze on the beams”, or “bleat-baa on the beams-trees” – the workers and slackers of our collective farm – after the “labors” of the Festive, Easter, Resurrection Day)
Enough listening to songs (here, take them with you and, if you want, learn them by heart) – it’s time to go (to repentance)!..
You ask me: how to live?! – Well, is there no one wiser to ask?! But if you are asking me – I will say nothing from myself (what can a spiritual invalid from a remote village say?!), however, once I overheard the elder speaking (to those dozing on the beams, that is) to grandmothers:
– Always look forward with hope!
– Back – with gratitude!
– Up – with prayer!
– Down – with repentance!
– Inward – with attention!
– Around yourself – with love!
– And thank God for everything!
Well, enough already, enough crying here! I know that through this long day of joint work we have become close, somewhat like-minded… Well, alright, enough already… Take your bags and run, so as not to miss the bus, because staying overnight in our village is very dangerous… Go with God… The Kingdom of Heaven and Eternal Peace to you!.. And may everything be for the Glory of the Father, His Beloved Only Begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit! Amen!