Eating Worms

My brother Reid has this cool video blog. I'm linking you to his blog because in order for this note to make much sense you'll need to go and check out his latest video entitled "Eating Worms." (Please check it out: http://commonterry-reid.blogspot.com/ )

I'm now assuming you've gone to view Reid's video ...

Tonight Reid and I were discussing his video. I asked him if it was meant to be just funny or if there was supposed to be a point to it. And Reid says, "Oh, there is a hidden biblical meaning. Let me explain ..."

He goes on to tell me how recently my nephew Micah had refused to eat dinner. Reid said that Heather had a made a great dinner: roast, rice and gravy, corn on the cob, salad, etc. But Micah wouldn't touch any of it. He cried and carried on, but Reid and Heather said that he could either eat the meal or go hungry. Micah decided to go hungry.

Later on, Micah went outside to play, and eventually he found a worm. Reid just happened upon Micah about that time and this was the discussion that followed:

Reid: Micah, what are you doing?

Micah: I'm about to eat this worm, Daddy.

Reid: Why one earth are you about to eat a worm?

Micah: I'm going to eat this worm because I am so hungry!

Reid: Well, why didn't you eat the awesome dinner that your mom prepared for you? Now you are out here about to eat a nasty worm instead ... wouldn't you rather eat real food?

Then Reid goes on to tell me that all of us are like that at times ... we refuse the wonderful table that God has spread before us and instead chose cheap and dirty imitations that will never satisfy. In other words, we trade what is good and right for a bunch of worms.

I've been thinking about that some tonight, and how there is a lot of truth to that. In my life, I've had plenty of times that I've seen the kind of table the Lord prepares for us. All the good and wonderful things that He gives to me, none of which I deserve. And so often, I will turn my nose up at it and walk away in search of something better. And every time, I discover that nothing I find on my own will ever satisfy me.

The fall of 2007 was a terrible time in my life. My marriage was falling apart and I felt like my world was ending. There were days when I really thought I might die. I couldn't see anything good in this world. I remember one very precious conversation from those dark days. It was with my sweet (and very wise) friend Josephine. I'll never forget how we sat on a park bench in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, as the October sun shone on us ...

She said to me, "Paige, God has told you that He will prepare a table for you in the midst of your enemies. And just look at the table He has prepared for you: you have friends who are upholding you in prayer, you have a place to live and such loving parents who are caring for you and your children, and even a great job has fallen into your lap. It's an amazing table, Paige. I know that things seem so very bad right now, but let's you and I try to focus on all that is good in your life. We always have reason to praise God ... always. Don't step away from the table. Just sit down and thank God for all these wonderful blessings. I know you don't feel like it right now, but you won't regret doing it either."

In the nearly two years since that conversation, I've tried not to forget that truth. That no matter how bad things seem, God has provided a table filled with goodness for me. And I can choose to complain and walk away and go find worms to eat ... or I can sit at the table which the Lord has prepared just for me and thank Him for His goodness in my life.

I have to admit that Reid later on confessed that he really just made up that story about Micah. His video was just purely fun and MIcah never had a meltdown over dinner that resulted in him trying to eat worms. Never-the-less, there is truth in Reid's story ... and Psalms 23:5 confirms this very thought. It was part challenge and part encouragement for me tonight. No doubt a message that God wanted me to hear once again.

By the way, if you enjoyed Reid's video, please leave him a comment. He's a funny guy, and I'm glad he's my brother ... well, nearly all of the time anyway.