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Way back, at
the beginning, when God first put men and women on this earth,
He gave them EVERYTHING they could possible need. And He told
them it was ALL for them to have, EXCEPT, that is, for the fruit
of the tree in the middle of the Garden. They were NOT to have
THAT fruit, but they could have anything else. So you know what
they did? They ate some of the fruit from the tree in the
middle of the garden. They disobeyed God. They could not
resist the temptation. And ever since then it’s the same story,
every person who has ever lived on earth has had times they
could not resist the temptation and they disobey God.
There has
only been ONE person who lived here on earth who ALWAYS obeyed
God. Do you know who that person is? Jesus! Even when he was
in the wilderness praying and fasting (that means not eating)
for 40 days and the DEVIL himself came to tempt Jesus, but Jesus
continued to always obey God. Jesus is the only perfect
person. Not that is was easy for him!
Here is Mrs.
Potato Head and Uncle Floyd. And there are a number of things
going on here.
First, maybe
you hadn’t noticed before, but Mrs. Potato Head and Uncle Floyd
have always kinda liked each other more than just friends., if
you know what I mean. AND it is the Saturday evening before
Valentines Day AND it is now Lent. Lent started last Wednesday,
Ash Wednesday and it lasts for 40 days (hmmm 40 days . . . hmm,
40 days like the 40 days of Jesus’ fast) until Easter. And it
is a tradition for many people to use a Lenten discipline.
Sometimes the discipline is to do something good (such as
helping at a nursing home or having longer devotions) every day
or sometimes it is giving up sometime you really like. This
year Mrs. Potato Head has given up all computer games. No more
solitaire, no more Tetris. And Uncle Floyd has given up
chocolate candy. He LOVES chocolate candy. Sometimes, when it
is not Lent, he will buy a box of really good candy and hide it
in his underwear drawer so he doesn’t have to share it with
Barabas!
“Hey, I heard
that.” (Barabas pops up from behind them) No you didn’t!
You’re not in this story!
“Are you
enjoying your seafood platter?” asked Mrs. Potato Head. “I
reckon it the best!” said Uncle Floyd. And then he said “I have
a little gift for you.” He handed her a pretty present.
“Oh my!”
Mrs. Potato Head fluttered her eyelashes. She opened the gift
and it is . . . a computer game! “It’s an old game called Lode
Runner and it’s a classic! I reckon we can play it tomorrow
after church!”
“Ohhh!” said
Mrs. Potato Head. “Maybe we can do that. . .” Except that she
GAVE UP computer games for Lent. But she didn’t want to spoil
his gift to her so she didn’t say anything yet.
And then Mrs.
Potato Head figured it was the right time for her surprise to
Uncle Floyd! So she inconspicuously ducked under the table, but
on her costume and jumped up with HER gift to HIM! Ta Da!
“WOAH!”
Uncle Floyd almost fell on the floor with surprise.
“This is my
Valentines Day costume! And here is my gift to you!” said Mrs.
Potato Head with so much enthusiasm. She really loves having
fun with Uncle Floyd! And she can tell it is mutual.
Uncle Floyd
carefully opened the gift . . . it is a box of chocolate candy!
“I know it is your favorite!” Mrs. Potato Head said with
excitement. “Ohhh! It looks so tasty!” said Uncle Floyd
trying to resist the smell of the very thing he has given up for
Lent.
You know, all
of us are tempted to do the very thing we said we would not do.
And sometimes, often many times, we fail to do what God has
asked. And we are sorry. But, because of the love of God
through Jesus, we are encouraged to continue to do the very best
we can! THE END
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