Then shall the King say unto them at His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: ... Matthew 26:34-35 (KJV)
Dear fellow APLC members, this story came to me via the Internet. I do not know the author or if it is a true story or not. I came to Abiding Presence about 29 years ago, a stranger and I was welcomed. You are a close part of my life. And, at this time of my life, I have often reflected back on what I thought was good and what I would change if I could. In ten days I face surgery for the implantation of a pacemaker as a precautionary measure. this has given me even more cause to reflect. This spoke volumes to me and I want to share it with you.
The Mayonnaise Jar And The Coffee
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the coffee ...
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a loud unanimous "yes."
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things -- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children.
"Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities.
"The rest is just sand." One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."
Lord God, let us look to one another as friends with open hearts and minds. Give us the strength to love and be loved; give us the wisdom to accept ourselves and others as worthy of Your Grace and to share it freely. Amen
Contributed by Michael S.
Published Sunday October 17, 2004
Week 47 of Liturgical Year C