FOODFORTHOUGHT

F O O D F O R T H O U G H T

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of
business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration
those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of
high-powered overachiever s he said, "Okay, time for a quiz" and he
pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table
in front of him.

He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed
them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top
and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes." The time management expert
replied, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket
of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of
gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.
He then asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"

By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them
answered. "Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought
out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it
went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel.
Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?"

"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed
a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to
the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this
illustration?"

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how
full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some
more things in it!" "No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point.

The truth this illustration teaches us is:

If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at
all."

What are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your
faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or
mentoring others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll
never get them in at all.

So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short
story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life?

Then, put those in your jar first.

PRAYER
"Lord, inflame my heart with love for you and for your ways and help me to exchange the yoke of rebellion for the sweet yoke of submission to your holy and loving word. Set me free from the folly of my own sinful ignorance and rebellious pride that I may I wholly desire what is good and in accord with your will."

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© 2006 FoodForThought

# posted by F O O D F O R T H O U G H T @ 5:03 AM