My granddaughters Adeline
and Olivia love sleepovers at Nanny Lise’s house. Their sleepovers used to
involve packing, going to Elise’s, eating, playing, then crying for their
parents to pick them up. But no more. Now they actually sleep, although the
last activity of the night, the going to sleep part, is their least favorite.
The last time they went to Elise’s for the night,
they had pizza, played games, built a fort, and watched videos on YouTube of
other little girls playing with toys (I don’t understand the entertainment
value in that) until it was time to settle down and sleep.
Not ready for the fun to end, four-year-old Olivia
pointed to Elise’s nightshirt and asked, “What does that say?”
“Those are just initials, RLL,” Elise said.
“Oh,” Olivia said. “I thought it spelled boring.”
I wonder if I sometimes sound like Olivia. When I
read the parts of the Bible which refer to God’s love, mercy and reward of
eternal life, I get excited about serving God. My enthusiasm wanes when I get
to the parts about loving my neighbor as myself, forgiving others like God
forgives me, and remaining humble. Those parts aren’t as much fun to me, but obedience
is always worth it.
The words of Jesus in Luke 11:28 are clear, "But
even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into
practice."
Olivia and Adeline learned about the blessings of
obedience, too. When they woke up the next morning, they found donuts for
breakfast.
Ronny may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.
