Puffy Cheetos

    We got along quite well, we three in the teacherage. We sang together, laughed together, and sometimes cried together. There was one small point of contention though.

    Cara and Lorelle both liked Cheetos. Apparently the puffy kind were considered superior. There was often a partially eaten bag adorning our living room. Lorelle should have known that Cara was too mischievous to let a good opportunity pass by. One day after eating the last chip in the bag, Cara blew air into the bag to make it look half full and replaced the clothespin that held it shut. Imagine, if you will, the indignant sounds we heard as Lorelle groped vainly for a nonexistent Cheeto while she sat engrossed in her book. Cara's evil cackles drifted through the house. 

    And the best part for Cara was that her trick worked again and again. Lorelle would confidently reach for the bag, trusting it to yield her the chips she craved. Sometimes it did, but often Cara had gotten to them first. Finally it got to the point that every time a Cheeto bag was left in the living room it was regarded with suspicion.

    Many times we look around at the things the world offers us: more expensive vehicles, newer technology, fashionable patterns, carnal relationships, over-developed self-esteem. The packaging looks lovely. The bag of Cheetos looks full. Delightedly, we reach for the promised pleasures.  

    Then we open the bag and find it empty. The things we thought were sure to be ours turn out not to be as wonderful as we thought. We are left grasping at emptiness. 

    Christian life is never an empty bag. We will face disappointments and sadness, but we will always find the hand of God waiting for us.There are sacrifices to be made, yes, but let us ever remember that the fullness of joy our service to the King brings will always be worth it all.