This is one of the many walks in Tracton Woods, near Minane Bridge, Co.Cork with the Himalayan Balsam in full flower on either side

(Due to the summer break the website is currently running on a daily photo update and an updated Thought For The Week. All the other bits and pieces will return as normal at the start of September)

Thought For The Week

A fable called ‘Never Give Up’

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. There was no way out for the poor donkey. Finally, the farmer decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway. The farmer along with his neighbours all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something the farmer had never thought possible. The donkey would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is also going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. No matter how deep the well, there is a way out. The best solution is to never give up.

That is why Jesus beautifully extends such a beautiful invitation: “Come to me all you who labour and overburned and I will give you rest.” It is possibly one of the most beautiful lines we have in our Gospels. It is also one of the best known lines. Again at the heart of the message is that there is always a way out of our troubles. There are always stepping stones.

Jesus doesn’t say I might give you rest or I could give you rest. He says I will give you rest.

So no matter what is going on for you right now we have those beautiful words of Jesus to comfort us and give us light and hope when life gets difficult.

Come to me with all that is going on for you and I will give you peace and rest.

Thought For The Week is updated each Monday