Saturday, February 9, 2008

Dig Those Wells Deep

Here's another one of those stories that make you think. I read this one recently.

'There was once a man who had a farm in the middle of the desert. He got tired of travelling a long distance to fetch water every day and asked God to please supply him a water course closer to home. When God heard his request, he sent an angel to the man, who said, "God would like you to dig a well. If you do, you'll have all the water you'll ever need." Then the angel left and the man got digging.

'Fifty years later the man met the angel again when he got to heaven. The man cried out, "God deceived me! I dug 100 wells all 50 feet deep and never tapped into any water! I just wasted my time.' With that, the angel replied, "If you'd dug just one well 100 feet deep instead of 100 wells 50 feet deep, you would've found all the water you ever needed."

It's one of the best little fables about persistance I've come across. Speaking for myself, I've dug my share of 50 feet deep wells over the years and abandoned them. I'd always get to a stage when, like this man, I'd think, "I'm not tapping into anything here. Time to give up." I've known a few families who have done the same thing in regard to homeschooling. They begin with excited expectations then find the going too hard and send their kids back to school, although it saddens them to do so.

As stories speak louder than other words, I'll keep digging through the dry, hard and rocky patches of those wells that are most important to me. I'm thinking particularly of the wells of homeschooling, writing and prayer. Rocky, hard or dry patches are not necessarily a sign that there is no water down there.

I won't be blogging for the next week because we're off on a short break to the Yorke Peninsula! For anyone who knows the map of South Australia, it's that bit that most resembles Italy, ie. the boot-shaped bit at the bottom. We'll be staying at a place called Point Turton, on the coast. The weather has been milder and we're looking forward to a relaxing time.

6 comments:

  1. I've known those families too. They usually try to fit so much learning into a small period of time they burn out before "their well is deep enough" to sit back and relax. It's a shame. It is really worth to have some perseverance. Or stubbornness. ;o)
    Have a nice trip! I look forward to seeing some pictures when you get back!
    Peace and Laughter,
    Cristina

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  2. What a great story and great timing for me to read it. I have been feeling that "give up" feeling lately.

    Have a wonderful trip! Be sure to take lots of pictures to post.

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  3. I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to wish Logan a Happy Birthday on your last post! I've been lazy about blogging the past few days - silly me! But I did enjoy the photos of your kids and the bits of Adelaide in the background. Happy Australia Day, by the way!

    I hope you enjoy your holiday. Hopefully, Logan's letter will arrive beforehand - if not, it should be waiting for you when you return. We're going to Portland overnight at the end of Feb. to see Missy Higgins perform. Do you know of her? She's an Australian singer (very young) but energetic and talented. It will be the first time out for us since Todd's surgery - we need some fun time. I hope you have fun on your trip!

    Oh, yes. Persistance. I'll have to think about that one.

    And, hey - you look too young to be the mom of a teenager!

    Blessings,
    Kate

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  4. I enjoyed that story, very fitting with my own life.

    I hope you enjoy your vacation. The more pictures I view of your country the more beautiful I realize it is. I never understood why my brother loves it there so much, now I can see!

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  5. Good morning Paula,

    When you get home from vacation, there's a tag for you over at my other blog; http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MOMflippedisWOW/483278/

    I hope you have been having a wonderful vacation and we can't wait to see pictures!

    Vicki

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  6. Paula - where are you? I hope you are o.k. I've been praying for you.

    Your friend,
    Kate

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