When Peeps Bite Back
While traveling with many small children, I have found it useful to have snacks on hand to give them at regular intervals - thus hopefully preventing mutiny. Usually we start with pretzels and then something sweet and then fruit (yes, we have stages because often our adventures or errands require extended time . . . and good food goes a long way to making every adventure better!). Well, today's adventure included those blessed Marshmallow peeps and I started with pretzel AND sweet because I was trying to rush.
Well, the whole way to our first stop, Larks kept calling my name . . . but I said, "Just wait, we are almost there!" But once we got there, I started doing the task, only to have Parks say, " Daddy! You need to get here quick!" I handed him my phone and told him to take a picture of it (the third picture!!) Since the picture didn't help, I had to go and see for myself what he was verbally describing. I quickly saw what she was complaining about . . . it appears as though peeps are SUPER sticky . . . even more so than I previously imagined. I mean, I KNOW marshmallows are sticky, but, this was quite a disaster. And looking at her, it is obvious what happened. She started with sticky fingers which spread to her toes, and pants, and more toes, and soon she was covered.
Reminded me of the reality of how sticky sin is. We think we have it contained but lo and behold, before we know it, it has covered our feet, pants, and hiding it is out of the question. It is obvious what we are stuck in and cleaning ourselves is out of the question. We need a kind-hearted God (or in this case, Connie Feathers!) to see our need, clean us up, and helps us get out of the predicament we are in. Sin is often of our own making, but that doesn't change the need we have.
Galatians 6:1-2 reminds us, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
May we all be willing to Gently help those who have found themselves in the stickiness of sin. May we, as gently as a little one would need, help them bear the burden. Life is hard. God desires for the church - for Christians - to be loving and helping as gently as he would.. as gently as we would want our little ones to be cared for.