A sack of potatoes!

[divinedesign21]

Heard this last night...and boy did it make a difference in my attitude!


A seminary professor who was teaching on the high cost of unforgiveness, asked each of her students to bring a sack of potatoes to class. For each person they refused to forgive, they had to select a potato and write the date on it beside that person's name. Then for a month, without fail, they each had to carry the sack of potatoes with them everywhere they went.

What a drag! After lugging the sacks around for a while each student began to recognise: (a) how much weight they were carrying spiritually; (b) the amount of energy it took to focus on their bag; (c) that they had to be careful not to leave it in the wrong place. Eventually, as the potatoes began to rot and stink, each student realised that getting rid of them was the only smart thing to do.

Listen: "You can't get forgiveness… without… forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part" (Matthew 6:14-15 TM). What a price! Forgiveness isn't just a gift you give somebody else, it's one you give yourself, because when you harbour bitterness, happiness docks elsewhere! Listen again: "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don't… what are you going to do with them?" Good question! How would you like God to forgive you the way you forgive others? If that thought makes you uncomfortable, then take action and do something about it before this day is over!

[rayofsunshine]

Thank you for sharing this. It really spoke to me today with some unforgiveness I have been harboring.
May God Bless You!

[divinedesign21]

I thought this story would help those of us in recovery especially since resentment is "the number one offender."

[best]

Been thinking of the life of a potato in a bag under the kitchen sink.

They look ok. Only have a little bit of soil still on them from the fields.
A few weeks pass, they still look ok but are starting to grow eyes.
A few weeks more and the eyes are now getting longer and the potato is starting to turn green as it comes back to life from it's resting state.
It is at this point...when they are coming back to life that they "Must" be dealt with or else.
The potato needs be returned to its rightful place (burried in the ground) or it will feaster and rot if not dealt with.


I sure like it when a post gets me thinking.

Maybe others may find a connection with what I posted along with the excellent story posted above.

[rayofsunshine]

Good connection, Best. I was just thinking about this post again today, as I carried an 8-pack of gatorade I had purchased at lunch to my car that was way on the other side of the big superstore parking lot. (I didn't get a buggy, cause I buy too much if I do.LOL)

The longer I carried the pk. of drinks around the store and all the way to the car, the heavier they got. I was comparing the heaviness of that to sack of potatoes in the story above. The heaviness, like the potatoes getting ready to rot, must be dealt with or else it becomes unbearable. We must forgive to rid ourself of the heaviness or rot of unforgiveness against another that we carry around inside.

Originally Posted by divinedesign21

Forgiveness isn't just a gift you give somebody else, it's one you give yourself, because when you harbour bitterness, happiness docks elsewhere!

[divinedesign21]

In the original story I read that the students carried these sacks around with them and the potatoes started to stink and rot. That's what happens to our insides when we harbor resentments. If you pour alcohol on top of it it just ferments!

[IO Storm]

These verses have always reminded me to not judge in the

first place...and to have a heart of forgiveness before God.

They remind of the principle of....keeping my side of the

street clean...

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Matthew 5:22

"If thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."
Matthew 5:23

Powerful...


Love,



Sherry