The acoustics of metals and the sounds they produce is a fascinating science. In flute making for instance, it is no coincidence that the more precious and costly the metal, the more acoustically resonant the instrument becomes. Silver is by far the most commonly used material in flute making due to its reasonable cost-to-sound trade off. But gold makes for the ultimate sound quality in an instrument, and for years I dreamed of having a gold flute. When Kathleen and I were newlyweds, I was able to sell my prized silver flute for enough money that, coupled with our generous wedding gifts, would provide enough money to live on for a year. But my remarkable bride, on hearing of my dream, suggested we use this money to get that gold flute I had always wanted. We had just enough money to make that a reality. It was so tempting, and in my naivety I seriously considered it. But logic quickly overruled, and it was a very good thing it did. It would have led to financial ruin for us very early on, and destroyed so many of our future dreams. Ironically, it was less than three months later that I had an epiphany to change my career from engineering to medicine. The rash decision to spend all our precious savings on a gold flute would have made that dream impossible. Funny how we get to choose which of our dreams will become our realities. The golden flute parable applies to many of the blessings we have received in our marriage. Now, many years into my established practice, I can afford that gold flute if I so choose. But I choose not to. The golden flute that never was has turned out to be the most priceless treasure I have ever had.
LESSON LEARNED: The Lord will give us whatever we desire life, but it is the blending of proper choices with appropriate timing that enriches life.
FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU EVER MADE OR BEEN CLOSE TO MAKING A RASH FINANCIAL DECISION, AND HAD TO LEARN HARD LIFE LESSONS FROM THE EXPERIENCE?
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