What was normal to me when I was growing up?
It was normal that I eat everything that my mom or aunts would cook. It was normal that we were thankful for whatever the meal was. We understood that when opportunity came, we had timely meals. And when opportunity was scarce we had “whenever” meals. There’s a reason as to why lunch was usually pushed toward “dinner” time, and that supper was when times are good enough. We never cried for this food over that food. We never rejected one kind of meat over another kind. And what my mom and aunts always made sure, by the mercy of God, is that we were never ill due to hunger.
I shake my head today at our spoiled generation, picking and choosing and being begged to eat what has carefully been prepared for them. My mom’s general rule was that “If I can eat it, you too can it.”
We can call it poverty or scarcity. What I do know is that God allows everything to happen for the good of those who love him.
The more spoiled people are, the more rigorous training they have to go through when joining any force in order to be drained of those false beliefs and false assumptions that would only weaken them when faced with adversities and challenges of life.
Likewise, as Christians we tend to cry and cry that what we’re expecting are not being provided or granted to us. We tend to forget that many folks, millions of them, are gratefully living life without those luxuries. Just remember where we came from. That’s all, I’m saying.
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31)
As my friend Gissell gracefully reminded me yesterday:
“Go on carrying the burdens of one another, and in this way you will fulfill the law of the Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. But let each one examine his own actions, and then he will have cause for rejoicing in regard to himself alone, and not in comparison with the other person. For each one will carry his own load.” (Galatians 6:2-5)
This earthly life, I’m always being reminded of how vain it is. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and you’ll be comforted of all your troubles.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Jesus is the well of the living water, the Holy Spirit. 