Tea with Milk and Sugar

Matthew 18:1-4  At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.  Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

 How does a child act when called as opposed to a full-grown man or woman?  I think of Jesus sitting there, the child He called may have known Him somewhat but my guess is that the child could sense He was kind and respected as the disciples sat listening to Him but probably didn’t know Him personally.  Still the child came when called by this man.  That’s how it is with children.  The boys are in swimming classes right now, splashing away, motor-boating, singing Tiny Tim.  They love it!  Jordan is a goldfish (water-adjustment) and Joseph is a penguin (beginning swimming skills).  When their teachers call them or ask them to do something new they just do it.  Children if they know an adult is ok, will do what they say. 

Bottom line for me.  If I hear from God I just need to do it, go to Him, obey his direction like a child.  Not weigh my choices as if I can honestly make a choice opposing simple obedience and enjoy the fruit of that. 

Adults if faced with similar calls or commands will often begin an internal weighing of options.  What are my rights here?  Does this fit with my immediate plan or goal?  Does this fit with my long-term plan or goal?  How much will this cost me?  What could I do instead?  Who does this guy think he is?  All the while smiling and then either responding humbly as the child did or politely declining with great tact and reason. 

I do want to be as a child when called.  I want to silence the weighing of my rights and options and just come.  Maybe my plans and goals are different than the One who has all my days laid out?  Maybe what I am concerned about is of no concern to the One who has with great care created my every new day? 

When it comes to grocery shopping for my husband and coupon using for me we are the material for a Seinfeld episode. 

We’ll start with him.  For our marriage (10yrs) he regularly comes home with some delicious item except it’s fat free, low-sodium, vegan, on and on.  It’s all unintentional and he’s not big on low taste so it’s funny.  Fat-free hot fudge, wheatless waffles, salt-free chips, vegan cheese, Costco size meatless “meat” patties, nonfat whipped cream.  It’s hilarious, I don’t know how he does it but in all the items he buys there is one joke on him. 

So I’ve joined the ranks but with coupons.  No matter what I do I can’t use a coupon correctly, to any benefit.  Last night they cost me!  I got this Costco flyer in the mail 2 weeks ago and yesterday needed Pull-ups from there.  So I decided to SAVE money and cut out the coupons for things I’m not out of yet but will be so why not save?  They totaled 16 dollars savings.  The whole family goes shopping and we have a cartful.  At the end the kids are falling apart and Joseph Jr. needed a trip to the bathroom for a talk.  I forget about the coupons in my purse and take Joseph Jr. leaving Joseph Sr. there to finish at check-out.  I get back and he tells me #1 I had the coupons, #2 they are not good until next week.  So I bought all this stuff , wasted 16.00, and wasn’t about to delay the kids 25 minutes by going to customer service.  I think I should officially never try another coupon.  Sales yes, coupons no. 

Huhhhhh… (sigh)

A few weeks ago in the rain, we piled in the van and went fishing at Rainbow Trout fish farm.  I haven’t been fishing since I was very young and never liked to fish, but now I love it.  I’m already planning our next trip but this time we’ll have to wait longer than 5 seconds for a bite because we will go to a genuine lake or pond.  We caught 5 fish, took them home and had a fish fry with Grandpa Jim and Jonni.  It was delicious, and the kids ate the fish, after I removed the heads of course.   I’m relieved that this task (take sons fishing) has been conquered and that surprisingly enough was a great experience.  Having 2 sons brings all these adventures to mind that I was not sure I would be able to do.  So far this summer we’ve camped in the backyard and fished so I think we are right on track.