The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

“God still draws near to us in the ordinary, commonplace, everyday

experience and places. He comes in surprising ways.”

-- Henry Gariepy

I never cease to be amazed at the creative ways God communicates

specific messages to me just when I need them the most.

A few weeks ago the details and decisions of everyday life, plus

helping plan a wedding, seemed to multiply like rabbits. That night, I

tossed and turned in bed. That happens to me at times when I focus more

on the things of life and less on God, who gave me life and has purposes

for my days.

The next day, we went to church, and through the message and the music

I was reminded that God offers peace when we feel anxious and wisdom when

we need direction.

After church, we went to eat with family and friends at a nearby

Ruby’s Diner. It’s a fun place with fun food and friendly service. Ruby’s

is also a great place for families because they give crayons, paper and

cute toys to children. We didn’t actually have kids with us, but we were

seated by two large tables with several children at both.

The children were given different little windup toys. Some of them

marched forward until they hit something on the table, like the napkin

holder. Then they just noisily spun in place until they wound down. Some

of the others just made noise, bent over and then flipped in place.

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal and the good conversations around our

table. When I concentrated on those I was with, I hardly noticed the

little characters on the tables nearby. But occasionally I turned and

watched, and then all I tuned in on were the noisy creatures bumping into

things, flipping and falling on the ground. I’d miss the conversations

and connections with those at my own table.

I spent some time that afternoon in prayer and mentally gave God

everything that was written in my calendar and flitting around my mind.

That night I dreamed I was seated at a large table swarming with hundreds

of those annoying little toys. They were noisily marching, flipping and

falling everywhere.

In my dream, I asked God to clear the table, and he scooped them all

up and took them away. Then he sat with me, and we talked about my life,

and he reminded me how much he loved me. I slept peacefully that night.

The next day, I went back to Ruby’s and asked the waitress if I could

buy a toy. She smiled and handed me a funny little fellow. He’s about 3

inches high, his eyes are a bit crossed, his teeth are clenched, and his

hands are in tight fists. He’s yellow with a turquoise shirt and red

pants.

When I wind him up, he makes a lot of noise and then flips in place a

few times. He doesn’t actually get anywhere, he eventually falls on his

face and flips about until he runs down.

He’s a perfect reminder of what happens when I don’t focus on God and

spend time with him. I can choose to noisily get nowhere on my own, or

peacefully get somewhere in life with God.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.