Julie was the strongest hiker in the troop and was usually out in front setting a pace that was sometimes difficult for the rest to follow. On this day some of the young women decided to play a trick on her. While she was resting and enjoying a drink, they quietly opened her pack and hid a large stone inside.
When the rest period was over, the young women put the packs on their backs and started up the steep mountain trail. At first Julie was not aware of the extra weight she was carrying, but after a while her pack began to feel heavy and she started to tire. For the first time she could remember, she was forced to drop back with the slower girls in the rear of the group.
It was not until she had almost reached the top of the mountain that Julie discovered why her pack felt so heavy and why she had become so tired. She was angry at first, but then she realized that her friends were only teasing her for being a strong hiker. She laughed with the others about the useless stone she had carried so far up the mountain.
Once the heavy stone was removed from her pack, Julie felt strong again and was soon walking in her usual place at the front of the group.
If we don't learn to forgive ourselves then we will end up carrying rocks around our entire life. Once you are are truly repentant of your sins then you are able to forgive yourself. Life may not have turned out like you had always dreamed. But it has turned out the way that Our Heavenly Father had planned for you. Repentance and learning to forgive yourself will bring you true happiness.
This week's handout was made using YW Camp Kit you can find it here. You can download this week's handout here.
