Jean Coleman's Blog - Posts Tagged "good"
THE GRAPEFRUIT DILEMMA
It was the beginning of grapefruit season and I had been waiting all year for the great big pink juicy grapefruit from Florida to find their way to my produce store. Finally the shipment had arrived and eagerly I purchased the best of the crop.
I almost drooled with anticipation as I opened the refrigerator door and selected the biggest one for our breakfast the next day. I was tired of canned peaches and pears and ready to move into the citrus realm. Maybe I would even put a cherry on top of each half in honor of this momentous occasion.
Taking knife in hand, I gently cut into the grapefruit. Whoops! The grapefruit slipped a little to one side and instead of two grapefruit halves, I found myself with a grapefruit third and a grapefruit two-thirds. Perhaps I should word that a little differently. I had a great big grapefruit half and a much smaller grapefruit half.
On the surface that wouldn't appear to be a very major problem, but the problem really wasn't on the surface. The problem went much deeper. The problem went right down into my soul because I found myself coveting the big half. Standing there at the kitchen counter, a mighty battle was being waged within me. Who would get the big half, my husband or me? I was the real grapefruit lover in the family so it seemed only fitting that I should have the larger portion. What difference would it make to Jack? But then again, the scriptures teach us to esteem others better than ourselves. If I was to live a sacrificial life, then my husband should definitely get the bigger half.
As I put the grapefruit into the two bowls, I realized that you really couldn't tell that the halves weren't equal. When their rinds were concealed by the sides of the bowls, they both looked just the same. I could take the larger portion of grapefruit and Jack would never even know.
The battle was on again! I recalled the words of Jesus, "There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed or hidden that shall not be known" (Matt.10:26). Maybe Jack wouldn't know that I had kept the bigger half for myself, but there were three who would: God, the devil and me.
The whole thing was crazy! What difference did it make anyway? I had as much right to the large half as Jack did. Maybe even more. After all, I was the one who was fixing the grapefruit and possession is nine-tenths of the law. I had bought the grapefruit, carried it home from the store, prepared it and I certainly had the right to eat the big half. The decision made, I placed the two bowls on the table with the smaller portion at Jack's place.
It suddenly seemed warm in the kitchen and my face even felt flushed as I waited for my husband to come down for breakfast. And a few minutes later at the table when Jack and I bowed our heads to offer thanks for our food, I sensed that the Lord wasn't listening to my prayer. Instead I knew He was looking down from heaven at my grapefruit. While Jack's eyes were still closed, I quickly switched the two bowls. The battle was won! I had the victory!
Christians seldom stumble over giant boulders. It's the little pebbles lying in the path that trip us up. Like who gets the bigger grapefruit half.
I almost drooled with anticipation as I opened the refrigerator door and selected the biggest one for our breakfast the next day. I was tired of canned peaches and pears and ready to move into the citrus realm. Maybe I would even put a cherry on top of each half in honor of this momentous occasion.
Taking knife in hand, I gently cut into the grapefruit. Whoops! The grapefruit slipped a little to one side and instead of two grapefruit halves, I found myself with a grapefruit third and a grapefruit two-thirds. Perhaps I should word that a little differently. I had a great big grapefruit half and a much smaller grapefruit half.
On the surface that wouldn't appear to be a very major problem, but the problem really wasn't on the surface. The problem went much deeper. The problem went right down into my soul because I found myself coveting the big half. Standing there at the kitchen counter, a mighty battle was being waged within me. Who would get the big half, my husband or me? I was the real grapefruit lover in the family so it seemed only fitting that I should have the larger portion. What difference would it make to Jack? But then again, the scriptures teach us to esteem others better than ourselves. If I was to live a sacrificial life, then my husband should definitely get the bigger half.
As I put the grapefruit into the two bowls, I realized that you really couldn't tell that the halves weren't equal. When their rinds were concealed by the sides of the bowls, they both looked just the same. I could take the larger portion of grapefruit and Jack would never even know.
The battle was on again! I recalled the words of Jesus, "There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed or hidden that shall not be known" (Matt.10:26). Maybe Jack wouldn't know that I had kept the bigger half for myself, but there were three who would: God, the devil and me.
The whole thing was crazy! What difference did it make anyway? I had as much right to the large half as Jack did. Maybe even more. After all, I was the one who was fixing the grapefruit and possession is nine-tenths of the law. I had bought the grapefruit, carried it home from the store, prepared it and I certainly had the right to eat the big half. The decision made, I placed the two bowls on the table with the smaller portion at Jack's place.
It suddenly seemed warm in the kitchen and my face even felt flushed as I waited for my husband to come down for breakfast. And a few minutes later at the table when Jack and I bowed our heads to offer thanks for our food, I sensed that the Lord wasn't listening to my prayer. Instead I knew He was looking down from heaven at my grapefruit. While Jack's eyes were still closed, I quickly switched the two bowls. The battle was won! I had the victory!
Christians seldom stumble over giant boulders. It's the little pebbles lying in the path that trip us up. Like who gets the bigger grapefruit half.
