"Once upon a time there was a man who was so holy that even the angels rejoiced at the sight of him and wondered what he would do to surprise God next. Even though he was so holy, so like God, he had no idea that he was. He was unself-conscious and aware only of others' needs and the presence of God everywhere. He was so full of gratitude that it overflowed onto everything and into every corner around him.

"After many years the angels decided that they'd like to give him a gift — with God's blessing — in honor of his holiness and in gratitude for the way he reflected the Holy One. They marveled that he looked so deep into the hearts of each person he encountered that he could see God, just as God sees and reaches for the goodness of creation.

"So an angel was dispatched to him. The angel appeared before him, bending low and said: 'I have been sent to you by God. Ask for anything and it will be given to you.'

"The man hesitated, wondering what in the world he could ask for.

"The angel spoke again: 'Do you want the gift of healing?' 'No,' replied the man, 'I'd rather that God did the healing and got the credit for it.'

" 'Would you like to be so holy that others would imitate you and thus bless God and come closer to God?'

" 'No,' he said again, 'that would be terrible for that would make me the center of attention rather than God.'

" 'Would you like to be a great preacher and reconciler, bringing sinners and lost souls back to the fold?'

" 'No, I've always believed that was the work of the Shepherd and that you, the angels, rejoiced exceedingly over each one that came home.'

" 'What do you want then? Please ask something. We want to give you a gift to honor God in you.'

"The man thought for a moment, and his face lit up. 'I know,' he said, 'I want the grace of God. For if I have God's favor then I have God's truth and all else besides. I need nothing else.'

" 'But,' said the angels, 'don't you want some miracle, some blessing as Jacob claimed in his struggle?'

"The man thought again: 'All right, if I must have some blessing, then give me this: that all the good I do, I will do unawares and no one will know that it was my doing. And so they will bless God for God's divine goodness.'

"The angel agreed upon such a blessing. It was decreed that the man's shadow would be filled with blessing, and that all that he did and said would leave a blessing, but it would always be behind him. He would never know, others would never suspect and God would receive all the glory. And so it has been."

Back to reading a full review of this book.