by Jerry Senn
One day Tauler, the fourteenth-century mystic and preacher, met a beggar. “God give you a good day, my friend,” he said. The beggar answered, “I thank God I never had a bad one.” Then Tauler said, “God give you a happy life, my friend.”
“I thank God,” said the beggar, “I am never unhappy.” Tauler in amazement said, “What do you mean?”
“Well,” said the beggar, “when it is fine, I thank God; when it rains, I thank God; when I have plenty, I thank God; when I am hungry, I thank God; and since God’s will is my own will, and whatever pleases him pleases me, why should I say I’m unhappy when I am not?”
Tauler looked at the man in astonishment. “Who are you?” he asked. “I am a king,” said the beggar. “Where then is your kingdom?” asked Tauler. The beggar answered, “In my heart.”
“A joyful heart is good medicine,
But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
(Proverbs 17:22, ESV)