May 9, 2019

Mike is the father of our twelve year old youth director, Grace.  He sent the following account of what happened when he didn’t get his apple pies.  It really made me think.

“Went to our favorite fast-food restaurant.  Picked up our order:  2 chicken sandwiches, fries, onion rings, plus 2 apple pies.  Returned home where we began eating while watching Big Bang Theory.  Looking forward to our dessert but no apple pies.  Went back to restaurant to get our pies.  When I pulled up to drive-through, I told the speaker in my sternest voice:  “Didn’t get my pies!”  He said:  “Please pull up to the second window.”  I had rehearsed the words of reprimand while driving, but as I pulled up to the window ready to unleash on them, I looked up to see the biggest, most vividly beautiful rainbow directly in front of me.  The window opened and this very nice man said, “Sir we’re very sorry” as he handed me the pies.  All I could say was thank you.  He replied, “Did you see the rainbow?” 

Do you ever find yourself getting mad about things that in the scheme of eternity simply don’t matter?  I’m so immature, it happens to me all the time.  That’s because the world is supposed to revolve around me.  My schedule.  My convenience.  My wants.  It’s all about me.

If you are like me; stop it.  Life is too short to live with such a self-absorbed attitude.  There will be ups.  There will be downs.  That’s life.

When you are having one of those down moments, ask yourself, “Is this really worth getting angry about?”  You will discover that the vast majority of the time, it’s not worth it.

Yes, there are bad bosses, demanding spouses, terrible drivers, stoplights, cashiers who can’t count, intolerably long sermons, people who sleep through intolerably long sermons, awful customers, people who believe they are more important than anyone else, the flu, knots in shoelaces, papercuts, bad hair days, brown guacamole, vegans, those who talk too loud in their cell phones, people who feel entitled, and jerks.  The world is full of all these irritating things.

But that’s just it.  They are nothing more than an irritation.  What needs to change is how we deal with life’s unique challenges. 

We do this by remembering who we are and whose we are.  That puts everything in its proper perspective.  Mike needed a rainbow.  What do you need to remind you of God’s goodness? 

David said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.”  (Psalm 34:8)

You have been blessed by God.  So live like it and don’t let things that don’t matter, matter.  It’s not worth your time or effort.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me always be aware of the big picture.  Let me see the beauty of this world and remind me of your love and grace.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Mike taught me that life’s too short to get angry about apple pies.  I think he’s on to something.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins