Deacon John Writes:
Last week I started a story about a small child who saw three people walking down a country road. Each was carrying two sacks. One on their back, one in front of them. The child asked each person what was in the sacks. If you wish to read what the child said to the first two people you can find it on the Parish Internet site at www.saintsgeorgeandwilfrid.co.uk. The story continues: When the child looked to ask the third person, she discovered that they were way ahead in the distance, and it took some time before she was able to catch up with them. She noticed that this person was also carrying two sacks, one of which seemed to be very light, and the other seemed to be very heavy. She asked what was in them.
The third person replied: “In the sack on my back, are all the unkind things that I hear other people have done or said; but the sack has a hole in it, so that they all fall through, and get lost, so I have no weight to drag or slow me down. I cannot see them, and I soon forget that they were there. In the sack in front of me, are all the kind and funny things, all the wise and helpful things, that I hear other people have done or said. When the time is right, I take some of them out, and think about them, or tell anyone willing to listen. It helps to encourage them and me, and to cheer us up. The sack is very full, and to you it might seem heavy, but although it is very big, it does not drag or slow me down. It is like sails on a ship, and instead of being a burden, it carries me on my journey through life. I hope you all have sacks like these!