Orthodox Parables and Stories: "When God So Wishes..."

 

“Glory to God! Thank You, Lord!”
There was once a poor woman who, whatever happened to her,would always look up into the heavens and say “Glory to God!”
She was very grateful for everything.
Nearby there lived a rich man. Every time he walked by the woman’s house, he would hear her saying: “Glory to God! Thank You, Lord!”
At first, he paid no attention, but at some point it started to annoy him. “How can such a poor woman constantly be thanking God?” he wondered.
One day, then, after passing by her house and hearing her say “Glory to God” again, he was so irritated that he told his servant: “Go to the grocery store and buy two shopping baskets full of food. Take them to the woman, and when she asks who they are from, say it was the devil that brought them.”
Obeying orders, the servant went the next day to the grocery store, filled two shopping baskets to overflowing, and took them to the woman.
Upon arriving at her house, he knocked at the door. “Oh, glory to God! Thank You, Lord !” she said, as soon as she came out and caught sight of the two shopping carts.
“Do you not want to learn who sent the food?” the servant impatiently asked the woman.
“No, my dear, it doesn’t matter. When God so wishes, even the devil himself serves Him.” And taking the two baskets, she happily went inside.