The Making Of Habits

A wise old man was taking a stroll through a forest with a shiftless youth by his side.  The man suddenly stopped and pointed to four plants close at hand.  The first was a tiny sprout just coming out of the earth.  The second had rooted itself firmly in the fertile soil.  The third was a small shrub and the fourth had grown into a well-developed tree.

The old man said, “Pull up this plant.”  The youth pulled it up easily with his fingers.  “Now pull the second,” said the man.  With slight effort the plant came up, roots and all.  “And now the third,” continued the man.  The boy pulled with both hands, and the plant yielded to his strength.  “And now, “ said the man, “try the fourth.”  The youth grasped the trunk with all his might, but hardly a leaf shook.  “I cannot move it,” he exclaimed.  “Just so, my son,” said the wise old man, “with our bad habits.”  “When they are young and small we can cast them out, but when they are full-grown, they cannot be uprooted.”

“Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit…”  So begins a familiar old saying.  Habits begin with thoughts.  In view of that, may I recommend Philippians 4:8 where Paul exhorts us to think upon things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report!                                                   

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