The Mayonnaise Jar and Two Cups of Coffee

                         

If you are like me, it seems like the world, as we know it, is deteriorating rapidly.  It is so easy to feel overwhelmed and burdened by the news each day.  But, as Christians, Jesus told us, “In this world, you will have trouble” (John 16:33).  So, we should not be surprised at all the heartache the news brings us.  However, Jesus goes on to say in this same verse, “But take heart!  I have overcome the world!”  Those words are certainly reassuring and comforting, aren’t they?  No matter what happens, Jesus is walking beside us each day.  As the old gospel song said, “This world is not my home, I’m just a-passin’ through!” Right!  My sights are on Heaven; how about you?  I am reminded of an old story that helps us focus of what is truly important and encouraging in life, and not to become discouraged and depressed:

‘ “When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, 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 object 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 that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.  He shook the jar lightly.  The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.  He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course, the sand filled up everything else.  He asked once more if the jar was full.  The students responded with a unanimous “yes”!

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filing the empty space between the sand.  The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor as the laughter subsided, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.  The golf balls are the important things – God, your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions – and if everything else was lost and only they remained, you life would still be full.  The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.  The sand is everything else – the small stuff.”

“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is not room for the pebbles or the golf balls.  The same goes for life.  If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.  Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.  Go to church.  Read your Bible.  Turn off the news, if necessary.  Play with your children.  Take time to get medical check-ups.  Take your spouse out to dinner.  Play another 18 holes.  Call a friend.  Send a card.  There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.  Take care of the golf balls first – the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.  Life is short!  The rest is just sand”.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.  The professor smiled.  “I’m glad you asked.  It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend” ‘.