Where you sitting today?

While it seems as though all my posts depict my children as complete cherubs that never do wrong--nothing I mean NOTHING--could be further from the truth. I just like to remember those nuggets of goodness rather than the boulders of "growth". The following is a prime example.

Chris and I cook and serve dinner every Wednesday for our church family. We serve anywhere from 60 to 70+ people weekly. This means that we have to arrive at church around 5 (sometimes earlier depending on the menu) and we don't leave the serving line until almost 7. That means that my children have to sit down and eat alone. Mark, my oldest loves to sit and talk with every adult who will listen to him. Matthew is usually left to eat and help Noah all alone. We never asked him to do this he's just taken on this role by himself. However, when the adults are in a hurry, Mark may not have anyone to eat with. So...he attempts to eat with his brothers. And this usually means that chaos ensues while we are in the serving line and my children are in the "diner", as we affectionately call it.

Last week one of my sisters in Christ was comforting Noah while another child came running into the kitchen. "NOAH'S HURT! NOAH FELL AND HURT HIMSELF!" I had, I think, maybe an ounce of compassion for him. And this sweet sister in Christ was sitting there trying to explain to me what had happened as I scooped Noah into my arms and very callously walked away. I'm sure I made a great impression with her! But I took Noah and sat him down and privately asked him if was hurt enough to require hospitalization. He replied with a breathy "No". So then I told him to clean it up. And sit there until he was no longer embarrassed. He was chasing Mark, the 12 year old, through the diner because Mark was "annoying him." He slipped and fell against one of the booths and hurt his side. However, he was more embarrassed than hurt. He's not an attention seeker in situations like that. Trust me, I did make sure there was no bleeding skin or broken ribs before I posed the hospital question to him.

After I found out what happened I was embarrassed by their behavior--running through the diner, screaming like cave men, chasing each other like wild animals. I gave the speech about how we are here serving, expecting our children to behave, and they are instead acting like total heathens! "Do you know how hard you make our job?! Do you know what people whisper about you--or US--when you behave that way?!" Everyone hung their heads and pretended to care.

But this week, as we got ready for Wednesday night meals, Noah asked if he could eat his meal in the kitchen. When I asked him why he said, "because you are in the kitchen, and when I am with you I don't want to be silly because I know it will get me in trouble and I know it will embarrass you. AND if I sit in the kitchen you make my food just like I like it." I was impressed with his maturity.

Instead of spurning the discipline that comes when he gets too close to his mom, Noah NEEDS that discipline to finish his meal, and he knows where the best stuff is. Because once he's home there's not another chance to eat. You miss out on your meal at church and you miss out on a meal all together. I supplied, but you did not partake--not my problem.

Then it made me think of me as a believer. It seems as though the closer I am to the Father the less I get in trouble with anger, resentment, gossip, jealousy, judgement, etc, etc. And how often do I get the opportunity to sit with the Father and fellowship with Him? Yet I get distracted with all the things around me and I don't take advantage of that fellowship. Then I come crying to Him that I am still hungry.

"Why aren't You hearing me God?!"

"Hmmmm...did you take the time to sit at my table today? I had all you needed to nourish you. I called for you, and I sat and waited but you did not come. So I cleaned up and put all the leftovers away."

But the great thing about God is He is such a better parent than I am or will ever be. Because if I come to Him hungry, He willingly sets the table for me all over again. And when I am in His presence life tastes sweeter. I am filled with so many good fruits--love, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, goodness, and self control. And you know what, if I need an extra portion of one of those fruits, God serves me again, and again, and again. I can never overeat these things. They don't affect my appearance. In fact, they enhance my appearance.

I am learning, like Noah, that time spent with your parent really isn't that bad. What I think I miss out on in the "diner of life", God more than makes up for in the kitchen.

What about you? What has kept you from spending time in His presence? Today, I encourage you to take your plate and join God in the kitchen. He is longing to fill it with the better things. And I promise when you walk out, you won't be hungry for anything else.