February 24, 2020

My favorite part of worship is the Children’s Time. That’s because I never know what is going to happen. Yesterday was a good example. It has caused a real dilemma.

As the children and I talked about what to give up for Lent, I explained that I was giving up kale chips. I went on tell them Shannon had put kale chips on my plate without telling me and how they were truly the grossest thing anyone had ever made. The children agreed.

Then I said, “If your parents ever make you eat kale chips, call me and I will come rescue you.” That’s when little Cannon said, “What’s your phone number?”

After church, as I walked to the confirmation class, I passed Laura in the hall. She smiled and said, “When Cannon was very little, I made homemade kale chips all the time and he loved them.” This is the cause of my dilemma.

I have known Laura and Brian for over fourteen years. I have watched them bring two wonderful children into this world. I have always considered them to be marginally adequate parents. But now that Laura has confessed to giving Cannon kale chips, I am left with a decision. Do I call Child Protective Services to rescue Cannon or do I look at their years of very good parenting and let the overwhelming evidence allow Laura and Brian to keep the coveted title of Marginally Adequate Parents?

Does one momentary blip outweigh their otherwise, excellent parenting?

In some respects, I do the exact same thing with God.

It is easy to see that God is continually blessing my life. I have a wonderful wife, happy children and grandchildren, my health, the list goes on and on…..

The problem is that I am so shortsighted and myopic, when I hit a brief rough patch, I wonder where God’s blessings are, even though they are staring me in the face. The overwhelming evidence of God’s goodness and love always outweighs the momentary trials and tribulations of life.

This is exactly what the Psalmist meant by saying: “The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

Never let a momentary trial make you question the goodness of God. The evidence speaks for itself.
Also, now that I’ve had some time to mull it over, I will let the bulk of Laura and Brian’s parenting override the lapse of judgment in feeding Cannon kale chips. They are still marginally adequate parents.

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, when I am weak, remind me that you are strong. When I lack faith, help me trust. When I feel sorry for myself, remind me of the continual blessings that you have placed in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

God is always good. That’s what truly matters.

Nope, I can’t do it. As far as Laura and Brian are concerned; even though they have been adoring, attentive parents for all these years, serving a helpless child kale chips is too much. I am going to call Child Protective Services. Trust me, someday they will thank me. That’s what pastors are for.

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