Orthodox Parables and Stories: "The Grace of God"

A certain priest still could not convince several converts in his parish. They asked him and he answeredthem. Everything he answered them was from the Holy Fathers and scripture. They were looking down a bit at the simple priest, not realizing that they have not even comprehended the basics of faith. At some point it seemed to them that they had completely overcome him, but then the father took out a large glass jar and, filling it with stones, asked the converts:

"Is the jar full?"

"Yes, full, " he heard a confident answer.

Then he poured a considerable amount of peas into it and shook it. Naturally, the polka dots took the free space between the stones. And again the priest asked the converts:

"Is the jar full?"

"Full," they answered in chorus, however, already with less aplomb than before, feeling a trick that was not long in coming.

The priest poured a whole sack of sand into the jar, asking:

"And now?"

"Full," as there was already a single uncertain voice.

And the priest kept pouring water into the jar, one after the other, saying:

“Stones are what you read about faith, peas are your deeds, sand is experience, water is the grace of God. The moment you decide that you  know verything, the less hope you have to truly be filled with the grace of God.