Ever heard the story of the Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups Of Coffee? If not, read on and enjoy!
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle and when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the two cups of coffee.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began he wordlessly 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 it was.
The professor next picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas around the gold balls. He then asked the students if it was full and they said “yes”.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course the sand filled up everything else. He again asked if it was full and the students again responded with a yes.
He 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 recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things – your family – your children – your health – your friends and your favourite passions – and if everything else failed and they remained your life would still be full. The sand is everything else – the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your life and energy on the small stuff you will never have time for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
One of the students raised her hands and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled and said “I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show that no mater how full your life may seem, there’s always time for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.”
Value life. Value others. Value God. Value eternity.
Ezekiel 18:9 (MSG) ~ "This person who lives upright and well shall live a full and true life. Decree of God, the Master."
TODAY'S PRAYER FOCUS
Majors Drew and Leanne Ruthven ~ ministering in Papua New Guinea
