Life IS a Box of Chocolates

Many of you remember the line from the movie, “Forest Gump.” Forest says to the lady sitting next to him on the bus stop bench, “Life is like a box of chocolates.” As the movie rolls you begin to see what he meant in the statement.

At this time of year I am reminded life IS a box of chocolates, at least for the next few weeks. We get all types of treats from all types of people but some carry a deeper meaning. For years my dear grandmother (“Nanny”) who lived in Ohio, then Texas, sent our family, and a few other families, a box of chocolates. These weren’t just any chocolates; they were some of the best. Esther Price candies of Dayton/Cincinnati, Ohio provides the quality calories someone would want when they choose to stray from healthy eating habits.

Every year I looked forward to arrival of this package and tried to stretch out the treat as long as possible. A few years Nanny died and so did the sending of the candy, temporarily at least. Now through the beauty of on-line ordering the candy keeps coming. This year, like last, I ordered our family a box and when asked to write a message on the note, I wrote, “Love, Nanny.”

Those simple two words covered it well. Nanny loved life and she loved us as her grandchildren and great-children. The box of chocolates communicates life and puts the fun and enjoyment in life.

We just received our box yesterday. The UPS man said I should open it quickly, it looked good. If he only knew how good.

MEN BEHAVING BADLY

I won’t be the first to comment on the sad story of Tiger Woods’ recent apology and confession of his marital infidelity. Hearing the emerging stories has brought me back to a parade of tragedies I have experienced all too many times in the lives of my ministry teammates and friends. Everything inside me wants to say, “What were you thinking?! You had it all and yet you chose to give it up.”

It is easy to be the judge but the truth is I and anybody else are one bad decision from wrecking our lives. We may feel like there are certain sins we would never commit. This feeling leads to pride and a false sense of security easily overcome by the sin around us.

Yes, Tiger behaved badly but it could have been me, it could be any husband (or a wife, for that matter). Without the wisdom of God, without prayer, without accountability we are doomed to repeat the same acts we so quickly loathe in others.

Once a month I meet with two guys who know me well. No question between us is too personal. I can count on them asking me about the state of my marriage, my family interactions, my spiritual life and more. They are my “safety net.”

Where is God in your life? Who are you when nobody is looking? Who (other than your family) really knows you?