Here Comes A Thought
Let me tell you a story...
There was once an old man who lived in an old house on the hill. He's never left it for any occasion and no one is allowed in.
One day, a young man came up to him and said, "Old man, I want to buy your house."
The old man said, "Boy, you ain't getting this house. This house is mine. Trust me, you don't want this house."
The young man replied, "You don't want to give me your house? Then I'll take it from you."
The old man said, "Fine. I will die before I give you this house."
The young man returned that night with his friends, armed with sticks and pitchforks. The old man was waiting with a rusted shotgun.
"Time's up old man," The young man yelled. "Give me your house!"
"No!" The old man said. "I've suffered for a long time and I won't let you take it!"
The young man's friends stormed the house but the old man shot every last one of them. Finally, the young man went inside but was grabbed by the old man. There was a struggle, and the old man was slain.
"Now this house is mine," the young man said. But in his triumph, he heard the old man's voice behind him, "You're a fool."
The young man turned and saw the old man's spirit behind him.
"Now I'm going to God, " the old man said, "and I know in the resurrection, I'm going to hell but let me tell you why I didn't want you to take this house."
"I was like you," He explained. "Young and reckless. I was once went up to an old man, wanting his house. He said no so I stormed it with my friends and killed him. His spirit came to me and said, "Be cursed like I was. You will never leave this house, this house soiled with blood and marred with death. Enjoy your prize, you earned it." And I've never left this house since."
The young man fell to his knees, tears in his eyes. "The price is too great. Please, spare me. I'm sorry."
"It's too late," the old man said softly. He then jabbed a finger at the young man and said, "Now, be cursed like I was. You will never leave this house, this house soiled with blood and marred with death. Enjoy your prize. You earned it."
He vanished in a flash and the young man wept bitterly. It's said to this day, he still lives in that old house on the hill. He's never left it for any occasion and no one is allowed in.
There is always a price for doing the wrong thing. So don't.
