40 Reflections – #7: 40 days of raw recollections during the Lenten Season
Trust comes in all forms
Not unlike any other morning in our home, today there was a kitchen debate. Some days it’s over who finished the jelly, who hasn’t made their lunch, or why(!) do we only have whole wheat flour to make pancakes? Today, the queries surrounded one particular gallon of milk.
Lately, our kids drink less milk, using it mainly for shakes and cereal, so our supply has been greater than our demand. As the lone, unopened gallon of milk was brought to the table, the sell-by date was announced, followed by “Uh-oh, the milk is old!” Not one to waste food, I pointed out the date was “just yesterday”, AND the milk was “not even open yet”. I instructed the kids to open it, and I’d give it the ‘ole mom whiff. After about 5 minutes of wrestling with the lid and seal, the milk was open. I smelled it, gave it the standard “it’s fiiiine” accompanied by a nonchalant hand wave. Still unconvinced, two of our children waited by the milk with trepidation. Their pause reminded me of when I would hear the incessent “chk chk chk” of our pressure cooker as a kid, anticipating it to explode, scattering beans all over the kitchen – which never happened.
Meanwhile, one of our children who had caught maybe 50% of the “old milk” conversation had his cereal and was ready to eat. Never one to miss a meal, he poured his milk, said prayers, and filled his spoon. Poised over her brother, our daughter asked, “How is it?” “Does it taste okay?” Still chewing, he gave the milk a thumbs up. Sighs of relief were heard, and the milk would remain another day.
In the midst of all the arguing, yelling, and rolling eyes, brothers and sisters have a tacit trust in each other. They trust their diaries won’t be read, the brownie they saved won’t be eaten, and the secret they confided will remain sacred. More importantly, they trust sour milk will be discovered by a loving brother, sparing them the gag and cringe.
This faith in one another, family, and God hold us together, weather be damned.
Full Disclosure: I too trust the milk is “fiiiine”, but why not make a really big batch of pudding and use it up? No waste allowed, and I’ll clear the slate for a new debate tomorrow morning.
Dig Deep: Find out more about milk and Sell-by-Date here.
Lenten Prayer: Prayer for Trust
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of Your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to You, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.
(By St. Ignatius of Loyola, 1491-1556)
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