There was once a very devout holy man who lived an austere life on the edge of a small community. One day, friends from long ago came to visit him. They were on a long journey and were eager to see their friend and refresh themselves.
The holy man became anxious because he did not have enough pots to prepare their food. And so, he made his way to his nearest neighbor and said, “Dear Neighbor, please will you loan me a pot? Friends have come to visit me, and I do not have enough pots to make their food.” The neighbor rummaged through his kitchen and soon came back with a pot which the holy man happily borrowed.
Three days later, after his friends had gone their way, the holy man returned the pot. “Oh no,” said the neighbor. “This is not my pot. This pot is much bigger than the pot I loaned you.” “Ah, but it is,” said the holy man. “You see, the pot you loaned me grew while I was using it.” The neighbor was silent for a moment and then gratefully accepted the pot.
Some weeks later the same friends, this time on their way home, made their way through the neighborhood and again stopped to see the holy man. The holy man, anxious to provide for their needs, again borrowed a pot from his neighbor. Three days later, he returned the pot.
“Oh no,” said the neighbor. “This is not my pot. This pot is much smaller than the pot I loaned you.” “Ah, but it is,” said the holy man. “You see, the pot you loaned me shrank while I was using it.”
“What nonsense is this,” the irate neighbor said. “Whoever heard of a pot shrinking?”
“But neighbor,” said the holy man. “You could accept that the pot grew while I was using it. Why can you not accept that the pot could also shrink?”
God’s peace to us all,
Pastor Ken.