The axe

A young man applied to cut trees in a forest and went for a test. He was very strong and ambitious and wanted the job very much to earn some money. The foreman tested him as he cut the tree quickly and efficiently. So the job was his and was the start on Monday. He was delighted and very happy that he can now earn a living and support his family. He showed up on time on Monday and spent the day cutting one tree after another, exhausted. The same happened Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, the foreman showed up and gave him his pay-check. The boy was surprised as he objected “but I thought we get paid on Friday?” “Yes, but your job is terminated,” came the surprising response.”You started very well, but your quota was not reached.” The young man objected again “but I did my best, I arrived on time, was the last one to leave....I didn’t even take a break.” The foreman then asked him “how many times did you sharpen your axe?” “Not once, sir, as I did not want to slow down, and I kept cutting.” The final word from the foreman was ...”that’s why you fell behind. Just to work was not enough - you have to make sure your tools are in good working order. You need to sharpen your axe, otherwise, all your hard work would be useless.”

The foreman did give him another chance. But how often we act like that young man. We are so busy and occupied all the time that we don’t have time to slow down and ‘sharpen our axe,’ and to take care of the tools we need to live by and survive. We don’t have time to speak to the Lord and to each other. We are too busy to listen to each other, play with our children, visit the sick, enjoy nature and the countryside. That’s why the heart hardens, the soul weakens, love fades away and life becomes miserable. So try to slow down the frenetic pace, and share an open heart, a relaxed mind, some time with God, a little fun with your family. And don’t forget to keep your axe always sharpened!