Ask, Then Let Go

I remember this story told by an elderly helper in Bandung, West Java, when I visited his group two years ago. I came to him to ask advice about how to be rich. Even though not a few Subud brothers mocked or lambasted me for wanting to be rich, this one helper took my question seriously.

He said that it is not forbidden for Subud members to want to be rich or successful in material terms. So he shared the story of his personal experience. His story inspired me a lot.

One day, he was asked by his sons to join them in a Mercedes Benz club in order that his sons can be close to their father. With a university professor’s salary he couldn’t afford to buy a Mercedes, so he asked God instead with a good intention, then he let go. God granted him by way that nobody could ever expect.

One of his former Masters students contacted him one day and asked to meet. During the meeting, the former student expressed his gratitude because the helper had helped him so that he could finish his studies. Feeling indebted, the former student wanted to give something to the helper.

The helper refused anything his former student wanted to give him, because the helper felt it was his duty to get all the students he mentored to successfully complete their course. But the ex-student insisted. Finally, to honor him, the helper accepted the gift. His ex-student then presented him the gift, which was a brand new Mercedes Benz!

“Don’t always remember what you once asked God for and don’t repeat your request. Let Him work His way. Just live your life with patience, trust and sincerity,” he said to me.

The elderly helper became my inspiration to do “just ask, then let go”.©2023

 

Pondok Cabe, Tangerang Selatan, March 10, 2023