FJRB
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The Coal Basket
The Coal Basket
The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.
His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.
One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water"
The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead.
The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all.
The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"
"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.
"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out." That is the work of GOD in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son. Take time to read a portion of GOD's word each day, and remind a friend by sharing this story.
"Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, Leave The Rest To GOD."
---
Solely in the service of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach,
Renee
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11/6/2006, 8:56 am
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DMskin
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 Re: The Coal Basket
That was a Good Story "Fjrb". Must remember that one.
I also try to Read my Bible when I Can; Need a bit of "Organisation" in my Life I Guess.
Paul
Last edited by FJRB, 12/3/2006, 2:38 am
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11/10/2006, 2:22 pm
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FJRB
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Re: The Coal Basket
I found the story to be a blessing, too. It reminds me of the parable of the cracked pot:
"THE CRACKED POT"
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfections, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work and you don't get full value for your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.
So as we seek ways to minister together and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.
Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes".
http://www.eakles.com/81flawpage.htm
I read my Bible everyday, too. It's nice to have it online http://www.biblegateway.com or http://www.blueletterbible.org . At each of these sites, I can listen to the Bible being read as I read along with the narrator. I could read it out loud myself; and I probably will soon; but, for now, I prefer to mostlly hear someone else read it to me as I get ready for my day. It helps to have it come in both in the visual and the audio. Who knows? Maybe I'll begin dramatizing it someday, too. I don't know. Memorizing is good; and I'm doing that little by little. I also need more organization in my life. And I'm getting professional spiritual and psychological help in this area so that I can have that organization.
---
Solely in the service of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach,
Renee
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11/10/2006, 11:48 pm
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outlaw2deacon
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Re: The Coal Basket
Two great stories to share with others about the truth of the Lord and what He can do for us and through us. The quote at the end of the Coal Basket pretty well defines how we should live.
Craig
Last edited by FJRB, 12/3/2006, 2:39 am
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11/27/2006, 3:05 am
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