"It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” (C.S Lewis)
The other day someone wondered if the residents at a rehab and nursing home facility were really glad I come every week to play blackjack with them and I couldn't help but laugh. Truth be told....I may or may not have broken into frustrated, disheartened tears while leading a game once.
Primarily all the folks that live at this care facility are on welfare. I've often wondered if this place that seems so toxic and lonely to me could very well be a place of luxury for them, at least it provides a roof over their head, something edible to eat, and a bed to sleep on. Yet...the irony of human response is that instead of being humbly grateful the tendency is to grumble, complain and demand more. And on that day and in that moment of trying to bring a sliver of joy and dignity after months of getting nothing but criticism, I had a tiny glimpse into what it looks like for Christ to love such a needy, ungrateful people as we are who are far too easily pleased to wallow in our own mucky expectation of joy and pleasure.
The other day at church my pastor spoke on the story of the persistent Canaanite women who begged for Christ to heal her daughter. Undeterred by Christ's cold response, she eagerly beseeches that she at least get a taste of the crumbs of the Master's table, knowing that the crumbs of His table are a 100 times more satisfying than a thousand steaks on a thousand tables.
Oh, for an appetite to relish even the crumbs He graciously gives! With such sustaining, delight-able crumbs, what foolish beggar would ask for mud pies?
The other day someone wondered if the residents at a rehab and nursing home facility were really glad I come every week to play blackjack with them and I couldn't help but laugh. Truth be told....I may or may not have broken into frustrated, disheartened tears while leading a game once.
Primarily all the folks that live at this care facility are on welfare. I've often wondered if this place that seems so toxic and lonely to me could very well be a place of luxury for them, at least it provides a roof over their head, something edible to eat, and a bed to sleep on. Yet...the irony of human response is that instead of being humbly grateful the tendency is to grumble, complain and demand more. And on that day and in that moment of trying to bring a sliver of joy and dignity after months of getting nothing but criticism, I had a tiny glimpse into what it looks like for Christ to love such a needy, ungrateful people as we are who are far too easily pleased to wallow in our own mucky expectation of joy and pleasure.
The other day at church my pastor spoke on the story of the persistent Canaanite women who begged for Christ to heal her daughter. Undeterred by Christ's cold response, she eagerly beseeches that she at least get a taste of the crumbs of the Master's table, knowing that the crumbs of His table are a 100 times more satisfying than a thousand steaks on a thousand tables.
Oh, for an appetite to relish even the crumbs He graciously gives! With such sustaining, delight-able crumbs, what foolish beggar would ask for mud pies?