Posted by
John Crutchfield on Thursday, November 27, 2008 8:21:23 AM
Last spring, a little girl signed up for the town softball league. I'll call her Mary. She was only seven and a tad small compared to the rest of the girls on the team, but she proved herself rather quickly, batting and fielding balls like she'd done it all her life. Mary's family loved to go to the games and watch her play and establish relationships with her team mates.
Mary's mom and dad had inflexible work schedules and the duty of getting her to practice on Tuesdays fell on her grandfather. It was a job he cherished. It meant he got to spend a little more time one on one with this child he loves so much. Before practice, they'd go to her favorite restaurant where granddad would buy her a Happy Meal. Grandpa didn't get anything, knowing his loving wife would have dinner ready when he got home.
Now, Mary's grandfather adored all his grandchildren and would give them the world, if he could. Certainly, there was nothing he wouldn't do for them and he often referred to them as "the reason he lived". They truly add a special meaning to his life that goes beyond words.
One Tuesday, Mary and her granddad were sitting at this restaurant and they were talking as granddad watched Mary eat. Those fries looked good, he thought, and let his fingers do the walking across the wrapper in an attempt to grab one. Mary saw it coming and with a playfully defiant grin, wrapped her arms around her treasure. No sir, she wasn't going to share, not even with her grandfather. After a brief struggle, granddad came away with a golden french fry, but the moment revealed a special meaning and he was struck by the metaphor he had just witnessed. In Mary's mind, those fries were hers, never stopping to realize that she wouldn't have had them if her grandfather hadn't bought them for her in the first place.
Isn't that how many of us treat God? We cling to our earthly treasures and deny Him a portion of what is rightfully His. Far too often we take for granted the blessings we receive and fail to give thanks to the one who provides them.
Lord, thank you for all you have given us and continue to give by your grace. Would you like some fries?