I was reading through one of my old journals this morning, marveling at everything I’ve forgotten about my life with God, when I came across an entry that particularly grabbed my attention. A friend had told me a parable:
Two monks were standing by a river when a wealthy woman approached and demanded to be carried across. The older monk agreed and carried her on his back across the water. She griped and complained the entire way. When he set her down safely on the other side, she never thanked him before she walked away.
The young monk was indignant the rest of the day, fuming aloud over her ingratitude and rudeness. That night the old monk turned to him and said, “Son, I set that woman down ten hours ago. But you have continued to carry her on your back.”
I didn’t record at the time what prompted my friend to offer me the parable. Maybe she simply saw that I was stooped over.
Lord God, give me the grace to let go of all that weighs me down, yokes me to bitterness, and keeps me from walking freely and lightly with You. In Jesus’ name.
Sensible Shoes 