Thursday, April 24, 2008

Should Patrick be allowed in?

Most of the morning the kids have been preoccupied with working on a combined project and at one point my daughter said:
Mom, see, I built God's temple. And I also drew a picture of it. I was taken aback by this display of architectural and constructive abilities of my 4 year old. Yes, the building and the drawing were simple, but the drawing was an accurate representation of the original. I thought of Moses and the Tabernacle.
We need people now! she announced as she turned to her brother:
May I have all your Lego mens? she asked. I need a lot of people to fill God's temple. Together they raced back into his room and came back triumphant, carrying a dozen or so of the little plastic figurines. The evil Patrick was among them.
Hey, you can't let Patrick into the church. He is the bad guy! cried out my black-and-white world son.
But God can change his heart. We need to let him into the church! my redeemed-by-grace daughter protested passionately as she carefully made room for Patrick inside the Lego crowd filling up the church.
The agony on my son's face begged for clarity and resolution.
Is God going to change Patrick's heart, Mom?
I don't know, my dear.
I answered. I don't know. But, we need to let Patrick in. We need to let him in.

Same Difference

Our daughter brought two almost identical Dalmatian stuffed animal puppies to her school today. On the ride over I was informed that their names were Pocahontas and Hokey.

They are VERY different, you know,
she frowns.

How's so? I ask looking in the rear-view mirror.

Well, this one has white ears with black spots and this one has black ears.


Oh, wow! I never noticed that before.
Paying attention to details is definitely not my strong suit.

Oh, yes! she continues on. Also, this one has an American flag, which means that she comes from America, and this one doesn't. After a short break she concludes with a sigh,

They are very different, but they still love each other very much.


And why is that? I wonder what love's got to do with it.

Because they both have the same red collar,
she answers simply.

Now, that makes perfect sense to me,
I laugh to myself at the irrational logic of this unlikely cause of affection. And then it dawns on me,

Well, of course! Even though they are so different or, rather, may appear to be despite the fact that in reality they are very much alike, they have the same collar. Which means, they have the same Owner and Master. And having the same Owner and Master should make them love each other despite their differences.



Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
I John 4:7,8