Last night a grandfather brought his grandson and granddaughter to the check-in hut to buy wood. They are leaving today and they all wanted to have one more campfire before they headed home.
I got them their big bag of wood and as they were leaving I asked Grandpa “do you have the making for s’mores?”. He smiled and said he didn’t think he had any marshmallows. I told him that I had some at my campsite and they were right next door so I’d be glad to give him some.
His grandson whispered something to him and Grandpa said out loud, “Oh, I almost forgot”. Grandpa then explained to me that his granddaughter has multiple food allergies and she couldn’t have them. The little girl’s countenance fell; disappointment was written across her face.
What Grandpa did next was so sweet. He bent down and hugged his granddaughter tightly and said “I love you too much to let you have something that will make you sick”and then he kissed the top of her head. He looked at his grandson and thanked him for looking out for his sister.
The three of them left, talking all about the great fire they were going to have on their last night without any s’mores.
That is so much like the Father…
The world offers us something that sounds so good, something that everyone else likes. But our Father reminds us that those things wouldn’t be good for us, in fact, what’s being offered will make us sick.
“ But that way of life is nothing like what you learned when you came to know Christ. 21 I know that you heard about him, and in him you were taught the truth. Yes, the truth is in Jesus. 22 You were taught to leave your old self. This means that you must stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self gets worse and worse, because people are fooled by the evil they want to do. 23 You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. 24 Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him.” Ephesians 4:20-24 ERV
Young Daniel and Esther were slaves in a foreign country. They had each been selected for the king’s service. Part of their preparation before they were presented at court was a special diet of the king’s dainties. Some of these foods were forbidden in the Jewish diet. Two different people, two different kings, two different countries but the two of them refused the foods being offered, they honored their God and then God honored them with a high place in the palaces.
Some things will make us physically ill, others will cause disease to grow in our mind and our spirit. Our loving Father wants to protect us in all three areas; He is concerned about our well-being spirit, body and mind.
Be thankful that He loves us enough to divert us from the things that would harm us. Follow His instruction and enjoy His presence.
Spending time with the Father, feeling His embrace and sitting by the “fire of life” with Him is so much better than giving in to the allure of life’s s’mores!