The King's Four Wives

Life is not just about making money, taking care of our kids and enjoying time with friends and family.  At the end of the line of life, there is something more important and essential that we need to pay attention to right now.

A long, long time ago in far away kingdom, there lived a king and his four wives. He loved his fourth wife the most.  He showered her with elegant and expensive clothes, adorned her with precious jewelries and she enjoyed the choicest food.  Only the best was given to her.

The king also loved his 3^rd wife and was always flaunting her beauty to neighboring kingdoms. However, the king had apprehensions that his 3^rd wife would leave him for another king.

The king considered his 2^nd wife his confidant.  She was wise, kind, considerate and patient with him.  The king would feel relieved talking to his 2^nd wife about any problem or issues that bothers him.  His 2^nd wife would always listen and help him go through his problems.

The king’s 1^st wife was a suitable helper.  She was instrumental in gaining the king’s vast wealth and was a loyal partner.  She loved the king with all her heart.  However, the king loved her least and he hardly took notice of her.

Some time later the king got sick.  He felt that he was about to die and dreaded the thought of dying alone.  He has lived a luxurious life; he is powerful yet he can’t escape the fangs of death.  Fear started to encroach his deathbed.  The king yearned for support and encouragement.  He wanted to be assured of his wives’ love for him and their willingness to be with him even till death.

Thinking that since he loved his 4^th wife the most and showered her only with the best things that money and power can buy, his 4^th wife will die with him.  However, when asked the question, the king’s 4^th wife retorted a resounding “No!” and walked away without another word.  The king felt like a knife pierced his heart.

The king then asked his 3^rd wife the same question but received another negative answer, “I am too young to die. Life offers a lot of opportunities. I will remarry!” The king was disheartened.

He asked for his 2^nd wife hoping that his confidant would die with him.  The king said, “My dear wife, you have always helped me with my problems and you’ve always kept me company, will you die with me?”  Unfortunately, the king received another adverse answer.  His 2^nd wife replied that the most that she could do is to walk the king to his grave.  The king was devastated.

Heart broken and with tears in his eyes, the king accepted his faith; he will die alone and lonely. He loved his 3 wives, pampered them with precious gifts and attention but none of them will die with him. Just then he heard a voice say, “I will die with you.  I will follow you wherever you go”.  The king opened his eyes and looked up.  He saw his 1^st wife; his skinny and malnourished 1st wife.  The king forgot all about her and never attended to her needs. The king felt ashamed of how he treated his 1^st wife and realized that it was his 1^st wife who loved him.

We all have 4 wives.  Our body is our 4^th wife. We take care of our body and lavish it with care and attention but when we die, this body of ours will leave us.  It will decay when we die.

Wealth and possession is our 3^rd wife.  We will not be able to bring any of these when we die.  It will remain on earth with our family or go to charity.

Our family and friends is our 2^nd wife.  The farthest that our strong bond with them can bring them is  to our grave. 

Our first wife is our soul which we most often neglect in pursuit of wealth and power.  But this 1^st wife is the only one that can follow us wherever we go.

Take time and reflect. Do you think it’s time to take notice of your soul?  Our soul is the only part of us that will follow us throughout eternity with Jesus Christ.  Make and keep your soul healthy.

Life is not a bed of roses. When this world pushes you down, respond with arms raised up to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, and ask Him to help you.  Keep your soul healthy.  Choose joy amid life’s challenges and see beyond this life’s imperfections.