Where's all the Crap?

My TypePad Com-padres,

Minutes ago, I returned from a long, but otherwise enjoyable evening at Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, otherwise known as "The Greatest Show on Earth".  It really did bring back childhood memories for me.  My father and mother separated when I was 7.  Some of the best memories I have with my dad were when we went to the circus every year at Reunion Arena.  The venue has now changed (AA Center), but the fun and ridiculous costs are still the same.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, children of all ages...".  The live band starts, clowns go crazy, fireworks light up the arena, bicycles blast by, performers wave to the crowd, and best of all:  THE ANIMALS.  You gotta love em.  Horses, zebras, puppies (which by the way were Carrigan's favorite) just to name a few.  But the one's we all wait for from the time of two years to adulthood are the enormous elephants.  They are massive and should further the belief in a divine Creator.  How does just a "cosmic explosion" and "evolving" conjure up such a beast as this.  Only God is that cool.  Anyways. :)

I have a friend who took his son to the circus.  When departing the show the dad asked his son, "What was your favorite part of the circus?"  The response was Mastercard priceless.  "I liked it when the elephants pooped!"  We spend hard earned money on seats, gasoline, parking, (DART for me baby!), $12 for the worst snow cones in America, cotton candy, ignorant toys that will be broke by next week, (would you like me to continue?), and all they get is the poop.  Immaturity does have its downs.

Your laughing right now cause you know it's true.  I did when I was a boy.  Loved it all.  But when the elephants began their triumphant entry, and we began waving palm branches, I closely watched the little men BEHIND the elephant with dustpans.  While all the other pomp and circumstance occurred, I was staring at the buttocks of the beast.  When it happened, my day was made.  I looked forward to it every August.  Sick.  Sick.  Sick.

Isn't that about like us all from time to time?  God will be doing the unbelievable around us.  He will be restoring marriages, providing jobs, mending hurts, defeating illness, encouraging the depressed, and giving unmerited favor to all.  The GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH is in process and we are missing it! His creation are like fireworks.  My boys laughter is like music.  My church family are like the hustle and bustle moving around the arena, keeping my senses alive while providing good memory after good memory.  :)  And what do I often see?  You got it...the poop.  Sick.  Sick.  Sick. 

Tonight was vastly different.  I was SO focused on my kids and their enjoyment, Echo and I found ourselves watching them more than what was happening in the 3 rings below.  We would look into their eyes and just be amazed.  They clapped.  They laughed.  They asked for more stuff.  We said it over and over:  "God, their beautiful!"  When I focused on the kids I love without compromise and were certain they were enjoying themselves, I had no time to give attention to the stink that was SURELY happening.  For Pete's sake, their were 10 elephants in the room!  I have finally matured.  A little.

And you know, if we would consume our Christian walk with seeing other's enjoy "the show", give detail to what really matters, and making memories to last this lifetime, we wouldn't have time to focus on the crap.  We know it's there.  Pride, lust, greed, selfishness, (oops, I'll stop talking about myself now).

If we would watch with amazement, all of God's children would benefit.  The insignificant would quickly be swept away without incident.  Charity still covers a multitude of sins. 

Poop-less,

jEFF m

Comments

[Jeff Hennigan]

Great words Jeff!

[Jonathan Shamlian]

Jeff-

This was great! I am so jealous that you got to the circus!