Leaving the “Junk” Behind

Watching a couple of friends stewing over things that don’t really matter reminded me of this story that I read many years ago.

Two monks, sworn to celibacy (including forbidding touching or speaking to a woman) and dedicated to living a peaceful, worry-free existence were walking along a road when they came upon a river that they needed to cross to continue their journey. 

Beside the river was a woman wondering how she would cross the river.  She tearfully explained to the monks that she was carrying much needed food to her starving family and had to return to save their lives.

One of the monks picked up the woman and carried her across the river, laying her down safely on the other side.  She thanked the monk and walked away.

As the two monks continued their journey, the monk who had not touched the woman was eyeing his companion and as he did so, the frown on his face deepened.

After they had walked about 10 miles, his companion stopped, turned towards him and asked him why he was staring at him.

The monk replied “You know full well that our vows prevent us from even speaking to a woman and yet you dared violate our vows by carrying that woman across the river”.

His companion nodded his head and then replied, “That may be so but I left the woman at the river.  You, however,  have  been “carrying” her for the last 10 miles.  Which one of us is in greater violation of our vows?”

The monk thought about it, nodded without saying anything and they both continued on their journey.

Our day is filled with blessings and challenges.

Carry what you need to carry to create a great day for yourself and others.

As for the rest ….

…. leave it at the river.

In service and servanthood,

Harry