There is a Zen story that I like which reminds us to, as the moral suggests, pay attention to how we look at things. According to the story, a small snail feeling a bit hungry began to climb a cherry tree. It was a rather cold, windy day in late spring. It happened that some birds were watching as the snail began to make its way up the tree. “What are you doing?” one of the birds said to the snail. “Why, I’m climbing up this tree to get a cherry, I’m famished!” said the snail. The birds all had a good laugh at the snail’s expense. “You’re an idiot!” said one of the birds. “Don’t you see there are no cherries on that tree; just how dumb are you?” The snail did not stop, however, but continued up the tree. When the birds had finally finished laughing, the snail spoke. “As we can all see, there are no cherries up there in this tree.” said the snail. “You must understand this, I take the long view and I know well that by the time I get up there, why there will be a veritable feast of cherries. Perhaps your view is too short.” He concluded. That story is one of my favorites. I often think of it when I speak with parents who are worried about their children who might be going through a difficult period. They often have tremendous fears and are quite overcome. I usually remind them that when it comes to their children’s potential, they need to take “the long view”. It may not be apparent right now, but the future may see a whole feast of good things taking place in their children. Learning to “take the long view” is good advice when it comes to children, and it is good advice when it comes to ourselves. Just because we are unable to see ourselves as worth much right now, doesn’t mean that there isn’t much good to come. It is important for each of us to remember that God is at work in each of us and that God is not yet finished with us. The best is still to come and the “long view” may well be a window into our future.