Hiding the Corn

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,

but a Spirit of power.  2 Timothy 1:7

Recently, a friend of mine mentioned that she hides corn in her daughter's macaroni & cheese.  This made me smile, mainly because I know how strong willed her daughter is and I could just see this playing out in my mind's eye.  I forgot about it completley until I was laying in bed that night.  I kept thinking about it and couldn't stop.  I'm really not sure why.  Then it dawned on me.  I couldn't stop thinking about it, because it hit home to me, it felt so familiar.  But in a different way.

MOPS.  We hide the corn.  The whole theory behind MOPS International is to reach out to moms and meet their needs.  THEN, when we have been successful in getting them to come, sneak in a little about Christ here.  Throw in a scripture reference there.  Show them how God is helping us in our own lives; how He is changing us, giving us hope, without shoving it in their faces...without suffocating them with Christianity.  We hide the corn.  We give them them what they want (the macaroni & cheese) by helping them find what we all desire: relationship.  We are building friendships, trying to help when we see a need, spending time listening to each other's problems, having lots of down time by doing crafts, playing silly games, going on outings, providing meals and time for them to have a couple of hours here and there to remember who they are, apart from their child.  What they don't see is the corn.  The stuff that is even better for them than the starchy macaroni.  The stuff that provides them with the nutrition their bodies crave. 

My hope is that we get to a place where we all feel so comfortable with each other, that the part of us that is so in love with Christ comes out in everyday conversation.  It's not only good for those who don't know Him, it's good for those of us who do.  It should be easy.  We all know it isn't always.  If we truly reach out in love, then that has to include sharing our love of God with others.  Our group:  well, I think we are doing a pretty good job of this.  I feel like we have a good balance of corn and macaroni & cheese and I don't think we feel like we have to hide the corn.  We are proud of our corn.  I must say, I do love the macaroni & cheese part, too!  Both sustain me.  I find joy, rest and renewal in both.  Who knew food could be so deep?

Jesus said, " . . . Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:20