The Old Wicker Basket

Once upon a time, an old man lived on a small farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, the grandson noticed that his grandfather would get up early and sit at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Grandpaw, I have been trying to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?"

The grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this old wicker coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told. All the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time."

The boy went to the river with the basket to try again. This time he ran faster, but again the old wicker basket was empty before he could get home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do it. You're probably just not trying hard enough" He went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to prove to his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would all leak out before he could get anywhere close to home. The boy scooped the water and ran really hard, but when he got to the porch where his grandfather was waiting, the basket was once again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpaw, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless, do you?" the old man commented, and then said, "Look at the basket."
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old wicker coal basket, it was very clean.

"Son, that's exactly what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but as you repeatedly read it, it will change you from the inside out. That is the way God works through His Word, The Bible, in our lives; He changes us from the inside out and slowly transforms us into the image of His Son."

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: By reading even just a portion of God's word each day, you will be surprised at how your life is transformed, and by repeatedly reading, you will eventually be able to learn and retain the lessons that God has been trying to teach you through His Word. So, keep on reading God's Word each day!