THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

are also involved with the centre, to a public meeting. We also expect our seven Highland councillors to be visible and with us on this.

We thank Sheana for her contribution to community life and using her energy on the tough job of sticking up for Lochaber.

John C Hutchison, Fort William.

“But some seeds fell in good soil and the plants sprouted, grew and bore grain: some had 30 grains, others 60 and others 100.” Mark 4: 8

I once heard a tale of a girl who had a test at school.

There were ten questions and after answering the first eight, she put down her pen and sat back. The teacher noticed and asked the girl why she hadn’t even attempted questions nine and 10.

Her response: “Well, no-one ever gets more than eight out of 10, so why bother?”

I heard the tale about 50 years ago from my father who heard it from a friend who had shared the story about his own daughter. Maybe it really happened, or maybe it’s a humorous apocryphal tale.

Either way it carries a truth and I have often told the story to illustrate how we should always give our very best, even when we know some of our efforts will fail.

Jesus told parables, stories of things that didn’t actually happen, yet capture great truths. The parable of the sower tells of the farmer who scattered seed, some of which fell on the path, some in rocky soil, some among thorns with only some falling in good soil where it grew and would bear fruit.

Some of that good seed bore another 100, some 60, some 30. When we share goodness, love, wisdom or the word of God, sometimes it will fall on hard pathways, shallow rocky ground, or among the thorns and distractions of life, but that must never cause us to stop bothering - we never know which kindly loving actions take root and grow.

You’ll win some, you’ll lose some. Keep sowing the seeds of love as our world needs them.

Rev Donald McCorkindale, Ardgour, Morvern and Strontian linked with Acharacle and Ardnamurchan parish churches.