Popsicles

Just a few days ago I was reminded of a lesson for life. It was just before bedtime and the girls and I were each having a popsicle. Since the girls have a hard time opening them up, I opened theirs, gave it to them and then reached for my own.

I was just ready to take my first bite when Sophie ran over and said, “Here, you can have mine, it’s already opened.” Immediately, I knew there was a string attached to this offer…..Sophie is a good girl, but she is not into sharing popsicles.

Well she was right, hers was opened, however she failed to mention it was half gone and I was the one who had opened hers. For a second I couldn’t figure out her reasoning….why would she offer me her “already opened popsicle” when mine was already opened as well?

Then it hit me, she was trying to frame the offer in a way that sounded like I was getting a deal. Never mind the fact that she knew it was half a popsicle and I had the color she really wanted….no I am not bitter :).

Within a split second after seeing her evil grin I realized that she wanted my popsicle for two reasons: it was a full popsicle and it was blue. If she wasn’t so cute and I wasn’t her dad, I probably would not have agreed to her offer. In the end, I traded the full blue popsicle for the half-eaten yellow popsicle….and the conniving ways that come natural to a 4-year old made for a good laugh.

There are two clear parallels for our spiritual growth journey: 1) Often we attempt to frame an offer in a way that is better than reality….we like to spin the truth just enough so people will agree with what we are saying. 2) Often we are not discerning when it comes to making decisions and we allow a person to trick us into accepting something that is not true.

I really think the sermon this week will help with both of these issues….we will look at how our deliverance from Christ will make a difference in our relationships. Specifically we will study our relationship to culture, to our Heavenly Father and to each other. The text will continue in 1 Peter 1:13-25.

No matter who we are, we need discernment….especially when it comes to trading Popsicles with a 4-year old.