I was reading Donald Miller’s book, “Through Painted Deserts”, as I ate some stale lemon cream cookies and tried to relax into a nap. We had spent the morning playing with the orphans, and I was tired.
Jesus told his disciples to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. I definitely need work on so much of this, and I need even more work on the next part of love your neighbor as yourself, but at that moment, I knew I had dug as deep as I could. Jesus said “let the children come to me”, and the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I have to admit, I have a real soft spot for kids.
It seems my abilities come together, they peak with tickle torture. Picking kids up and tickling them, holding them in a scissors lock with my legs and driving my fingers between their ribs or into their armpits. Squeezing their thighs until they cant breathe and squirm, panicked for air. That is loving Jesus with all my might.
Grabbing a kids head and rubbing my cheek, unshaven for 3 days, on their soft face. (chancing ringworm) Pushing their faces in my armpit and giving noogies. Grabbing their shorts or undies at the back and poking them in the ribs so they fall into a wedgie. Throwing the kids on top of each other into pig piles. This is exhausting work, in the hot african sun, breathing the red dust.
So, I needed a nap. I lay there and read about the hike into the Grand Canyon that Miller and his buddy went on. Page after page they talk about food. I know that feeling from hiking, and laying in bed eating another lemon cream, I also dreamed of food (raisin bran with cold milk! pancakes with maple syrup and bacon!…).
I prayed, Lord, I am grateful for what you have provided. I know I am not wasting away here, I appreciate the rice and stale cookies, but Lord, I want something GOOD to eat.
As I type this now, I am between meals. For lunch, I had sparkling grape juice, a huge T bone steak, and chocolate cake. My amazing wife is waiting to go eat again (maybe ribs, some wine, and creme brulee?).
Thank you Jesus! Eating all that dust with your children is SOOO worth it!
