All the days of the afflicted are bad, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15, TLV
A Continual Feast? Ever hear the story about the father who gave one child a bunch of Christmas gifts and the other child just one gift?
The first child opens all the gifts and then complains that she didn’t receive what she really wanted.
The other child opens the one gift and finds a pile of manure. She jumps for joy and thanks her daddy.
When he asks why she’s so happy over a box of poop, she exclaims, “There must be a pony somewhere!”
I think this story was intended as a lesson in the difference between pessimism and optimism. But maybe it’s more.
The “optimistic” child must have had faith in her father to believe that he wouldn’t intentionally disappoint her. The “pessimistic” child couldn’t see past her own desire to the generosity of her father.
So, what can we learn from this strange story?
For me, when I hyper focus on what I think I need or want, I miss out
on the blessings all around me. I may be focused on my circumstances rather than lifting my eyes to my Heavenly Abba who loves me deeply. My well-being is safe in His Hands. There’s a feast waiting for me if I look past the challenge and focus on Him.
When we encounter a big pile of poo in our life, do we look for the “pony” or turn up our noses in distrust and disappointment? Do we trust our Daddy enough to look past those stinky things happening to us to the reality of knowing He has good gifts and blessings behind, in, around, or even with the bad?
Can we redirect our hearts to that trusting cheerful place when we’re presented with challenges? Can we see the feast waiting for us? Let’s do it together!
May we have a continual feast, my friends.
Let’s Think More About It
What happens when the gift you open is a box of “poo”?
I hope it was okay to be a little silly with this blog. As always, I love to read your comments, and greatly appreciate the shares.
