I read The Mansion, a short story by Henry van Dyke, for my book club. I had never heard of this book before, but it apparently is a must-read each Christmas season along with A Christmas Carol. I was able to read The Mansion (a super quick read) for free on the Internet. It is about a religious man named John who is very wealthy, donates to charities, and seems to live a life without error. However, one night in a dream, he finds that the mansion he expected to find for his reward in heaven is not at all what he expected. The lesson in the story comes near the end where John asks the Keeper of the Gate, "What is it that counts here?" and receives the answer, "Only that which is truly given. Only that good which is done for the love of doing it."
This is a really wonderful story that was very thought-provoking. It was so easy to relate to the main character as he desperately tried to explain to the Keeper of the Gate all that he had done for good on the earth. He then with disappointment received an explanation that he had already received his reward for those acts: "Would you be paid twice?" It made me really think about how I should seek do good in this world without needing praise or recognition--the reward may not come in this world but in the next.
Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)
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