CLEAN YOUR PLATE


I conducted a funeral this week for a 38-year-old man who suddenly died.  Spending time with the family and listening to his sister talk about their life as kids, it caused me to reflect back on some of the many unique situations my sister and I shared growing up. Here is one that came to mind.



As children, Carrie and I were required to finish everything on our plate including all the vegetables before we could have any dessert.  I recall one night when she looked at Mom and, in a very matter-of-fact manner, stated that she would throw up (always the drama queen) if she had to have one bite of that spinach on her plate. Mother insisted she have at least one bite and keep it down or no dessert. Knowing ice cream was within reach, my sister held her nose and tried to force down a tiny bite of spinach. The moment she swallowed, true to her word, her entire meal ended up back on the table—not a pleasant moment at our dinner table!



Proverbs 15:19 reads, “the path of the upright is an open highway.” The path of a Christ-follower does not always seem easy. There are times when Christ-followers have to stomach unpleasant situations, people or circumstances, but the Bible assures us that this is better than the alternative. “A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate”—Proverbs 15:17. Compared to hatred, discord, envy or greed, the path of a Christ-follower is smooth with open road ahead. Compared to the temporary pleasures and a life that looks only to please oneself, the life of a Christ-follower focuses on the long term and, in the end, the reward is greater.



A meal of vegetables is not always the most pleasant choice. But, as we all have learned, it is in vegetables that we find essential nutrients for a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle. So while they are not always pleasant at the time, in the long term, vegetables are just what our body needs. The same is true with love. It is better to live a life built on the foundation of love, than to get carried away in the rocky roads of hatred.



My sister didn’t get the ice cream that day, Mom was always true to her word, but Carrie has acquired a taste for spinach. I’m sure we will remember more stories and laugh until we cry. These memories are endearing, not because of what my sister or I went through, but because we shared it with each other. Now clean your plate!

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