A Popcorn Lesson

Do you remember what it was like to be a kid? When everything was exciting and new and you didn’t have any cares in the world? I learn SO many lessons from our boys and I recently witnessed our oldest watching popcorn pop in the air popper for the first time and he was completely thrilled! I mean, he was pointing at it, eyes all lit up, truly fascinated by it. As an adult, I find that I often forget to enjoy the simple things like watching popcorn pop. It’s too easy to get sucked in and dragged down by the worries of the world instead of looking for all the joy there is just waiting for us to partake in it. God has truly blessed us and just like our oldest finding joy in popcorn, I know there’s so much that I take for granted instead of stopping to find joy in it.

We lost power a few weeks ago and it quickly reminded me how grateful I am for running water, lights that turn on and off with the flick of a switch, the ability to bake and cook with easy access to appliances, the ease of turning on a fan, and on and on. When we lose access to something good, we often realize how much we took it for granted when we had it. We hear sayings like, “You never know what you have until it’s gone” but we don’t really think about that daily do we? It’s so easy to live life at such a fast pace and make plans like we have all the time in the world. It’s easy to forget that every single breath that you breathe is truly a miraculous gift from God.

We can make ALL the plans and worry about ALL the things, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll actually get to follow through on the plans or prevent all the bad from happening. I think of Proverbs 16:9 which says, “The heart of a man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” How often do we make plans as though we know for a fact that we will get to see them through? I know that I’m guilty of it. I often forget to hold my plans loosely because I forget that every breath is a miracle. I forget that I’m not the One that knows how many breaths I will breathe or how many plans I will make and follow through on. I’m guilty of forgetting to stop and enjoy each moment — especially the mundane moments — because I take them for granted.

I’m not advocating that we don’t ever make plans — that wouldn’t make sense in my brain and I don’t even necessarily believe that it’s wise, but I am advocating for finding joy in simple things like my son did watching popcorn pop. Infants don’t really make plans, they rely on their parents to do that for them. Children rely on their parents to teach them how to plan well and with wisdom, but also rely on their parents to steer them in the right direction when their plan is no good. To guide them and lead them well. To teach them and be there when they cry or just want to be held. They look to their parents to demonstrate what love is and how to live in this world. They imitate what they see.

This is how our relationship with our Heavenly Father should be. We should rely on Him to make the plans and follow where He leads. When we make a plan that isn’t any good, we should look to Him to steer us back onto His path. We should look to Him to guide us, lead us, teach us, comfort us, etc. He already demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). He wants us to imitate Him because He is a good, good Father who only wants the best for His children (Ephesians 5:1). He came to earth and taught us how to live the way that He intended. He took notice of the mundane, the “little” things, He taught us how to pray and said “Give us each day our daily bread” Luke 11:3. Did you catch that? Each day. We aren’t to take our “bread” for granted, but rather should thank God each day for His provision and sustenance.

We aren’t promised tomorrow — we aren’t even promised our next breath. Let’s do a better job of truly living life well. Of finding joy in the everyday, in the simple things. Let us not take for granted our homes, our food, our families, our friends, even our breath because we truly do not know when our time on earth is over. So, let us live more like a child in the respect that they find joy in simple things and look to their parents for guidance — may we trust our Father wholeheartedly and always look to Him for guidance.

Song of the week: This week I chose “Thank You Lord” by Chris Tomlin (Featuring Thomas Rhett and Florida Georgia Line). Enjoy!