On Sunday I met Katie and Eden for lunch at McDonald’s for a very fancy meal (oh yeah big spenders). We sat down, ate and watched people play with the giant slide puzzle (you can see a guy with camo on playing with it in the pic).
We had a delightful meal and then Katie went to a meeting and Eden and I finished our food, but not before something struck me. Eden was eating only her bun with Ketchup on it. This is
not something that is very strange I guess but it got me thinking. Katie loves Ketchup sandwiches. I was mesmerized but the fact that Eden was chomping down on a Ketchup soaked piece of bread.
I had just read a passage from Deutoeronmy 6 the day before where the people of Israel are being told how to pass on their faith to the next generation. Here is what it says:
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates…
20 When your children ask you in time to come, “What is the meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the ordinances that the LORD our God has commanded you?” 21 then you shall say to your children, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Deut 6
Wow..the people had just gotten the 10 commandments and now they are told about how to keep them in their hearts. Even write them on their foreheads…maybe this is a biblical argument for tattoos.
Then it goes on to say that when your kids ask you about the things you do tell them. Tell the your whole story of overcoming oppression, liberation, the love of God how to eat ketchup sandwiches…
Well not the last one, but it isn’t far off. We teach our children so many things and the imitate and embrace what we teach even if they don’t seem like they are listening or watching they are. But how often do we hesitate to teach them the Whys and the Whats of our faith. This is the most precious gift that we can pass along and we often bulk at the opportunity.
Next time you eat your ketchup sandwich (or whatever special thing you do) ask how is that going to be passed on, and are you doing that with your faith as well?
3 Responses
Chris, I see two good things out of this story. One is everything you talked about and all of that. But the other thing is, I think that she was born a vegetarian; This is just great news. At such a young age, she is already practicing tossing the meat to the side and just eating the bread. Unbelievable.
I am not sure that she is a vegetarian, but I found a deeper truth in the story…ketchup is just GOOD. No way you toss it…it is good.
But seriously, it reminds me that no matter what I say, people are watching how I LIVE. Words mean nothing if they are not backed up by action. And even when I think something is insignificant… someone might see it and thing… this is what it means to follow Jesus.