Sunday School... A Lesson

It was a golden Sunday morning. My family and I were up early and off we went to the park.
As we strolled along, we took in the scenes of the morning and the sound of the river flowing quickly beside us.

This must have been one of those days that brings " the exerciser" out in folks. The trail was teeming with bikers, walkers and runners. Some people walked with quick, energized steps. Runners flew by at record speed. Still others huffed and puffed looking as if they were hardly going to make it.

As we got deeper into the trail, less people were seen. The trail was getting more and more scarce. Funny, isn't it? (But that's not my point.)

After some time, coming down the trail toward us was a little girl walking a little dog. She was all alone. No seeming guardian was in sight. Hmm... that's strange. I wonder where her parents are?
As we got closer, I saw her face. It wore a scrunched up, pained expression. I sure hope she's okay, I thought, and we passed her by.

{ I've lost my mom and I can't find her!}

"Hold on, let me make sure she is alright." My mom did a 180° and went over to her.
" Is everything okay?" my mom asked.
" I've lost my mom and I can't find her!" the poor little girl moaned.

Lost. This 8 year old  girl was lost, left alone in a wide- open and unprotected place.
And what had I done? Passed right by her just thinking, "I sure hope she's okay."

I learned my lesson. We walked with her and helped her search for her family until they were found.
                                                                  ~

How many people do we pass by who are lost and searching?  They are looking for some caring person who will direct them to our Heavenly Father by being the hands and feet of Jesus.
Will you pass right by or offer them help?

Only a Crack...

"Oh no!" My sister shrieked from the basement of our home.

What in the world happened? I thought, while finishing up my evening chores before my family's scheduled "family time".

"What happened?" My mom called.

"There are ants everywhere in the corner near Joey's food!!!"

The dreaded ants- again. Would they ever leave?

We have fought this whole season, trying to keep their armies away. The exterminator has come more than once but somehow they still find some nook or cranny to wedge themselves and enter.

We soon found out, much to our frustration, that the ants were not just on the floor, walls, ceiling, and doors, but also inside a container full of almost 52 lbs. of newly purchased dog food! How did they ever get in that airtight container? My sister came to the conclusion- it was all my fault. I had not properly sealed the container forgetting to close the latch on the lid that morning after I fed our dog breakfast. Consequently, these eager, zealous ants took full advantage of this grand gormandize.

One latch left open. That was it... Or was it?

All it took was to leave a lid unsealed to result in a gross (in more ways than one) infestation of those little foul beasts. That's all they needed- one tiny opening.

What if our lives were a container? ( I, know, it sounds strange:)
But think about it, any little crack opened could be making room for infestation of things that are not good.

Little things.
Lying every once in a blue moon, of course, only when it's convenient. Knowingly talking rudely about someone for a good laugh or to be accepted and not seen as "weird".  Surely that's not so bad. 

These spaces, seemingly ever so small, open cracks in our hearts that only give room for wrong and more wrong.

Close the cracks... or else...