The discussion around the table late yesterday afternoon was about burnt toast. When I was a young girl I remember my dad saying eating burnt toast would make you a better singer. I believed him; my older brother and sister did not. They saw his real purpose in saying this, he didn’t want the toast going to waste.
I’m not sure how many pieces of burnt toast I have eaten in my life but there have been more than a few. Some as a child and others as an adult.
My mom told a story of a missionary whose family lived on a very meager monthly allotment. She said they never wasted food. When asked what they did about burnt toast she smiled and said I hold it up and simply ask “who wants chocolate toast”.
But the story I like best is the one of a man, who recalling his childhood and his father’s many sacrifices, said that whenever the toast burned his father would tell the family “don’t anyone take my toast, this is the way I like it best and your mother made it special, just for me”. He said his father’s act of love in not embarrassing his mother and not subjecting his children to something as unpleasant as burnt toast was an example of self-sacrifice and kindness that guided his words and actions with his own family.
Burnt toast, spilled coffee, muddy footprints, the last piece of pie say volumes about our character.
Do we value possessions over people?
“God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others. 13 Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:12-13 NLV
Kindness is a gift we can all give. It never goes out of style; one size fits all. Kindness isn’t waiting to receive; it is always willing to give.
I heard of a husband who bragged on his new bride, “My wife thinks I’m a god. She offers me a burnt sacrifice every night”. Eating a piece a burnt toast with a smile on our face and love in our heart can be one of the greatest sermons never preached. Our actions often speak louder than our words.
May we always share the love and kindness we receive from the Lord. In the case of burnt toast, it’s always better with butter and jam.
