Kenny and I had five dear friends over for dinner last night- Tish and Jonathan, Beth and Bryce and their nigh-on one year old, Eli. The evening wound around from bruschetta to discussion of local food to beef burguignonne to authority of scripture to wine to watermelon to wine in watermelon to children’s books to childhood stories to chocolate and watermelon in the wine and back to theology. Eli ate with us, played at, under and around the table, and thoroughly enjoyed his watermelon and avocado.
Throughout the “chocolate and wine” portion of the evening, we discussed life and God and how we know that scripture is true. Wine continued, discussion of scripture and good writing and how we know stuff continued. Eli played at our feet with the various objects provided for him, with a wholeheartedness and enthusiasm that only a one-year old could bring to his play. I was struck by the funny thought that humans considering the things of God is not unlike Eli playing paddleball with two plastic paddles and a gourd on the coffeetable. We can kinda do it, and there are things to be learned, but there’s an inherent silliness and awkwardness to us being very serious about it. I understand that if anything’s worth taking seriously, what God is up to is worth taking seriously. I also understand that I, in my smallness, simpleness and silliness, ought not to take my own play and expertise on the finer points too very seriously. Plastic paddles and a gourd, ya know?
Eli, sharing some watermelon with his dad.
I hope Eli’s watermelon was not from that of the “wine in watermelon” that you mentioned…
Yes! Being around Eli offers a wealth of perspective. Everyday I gain insight by observing him, and by considering how I must look to him. One insight I’ve gained is that I am much more likely to cuss at 5:30 am than any other time of day, and its usually while trying to cook him breakfast. Ah, the joys of fatherhood.
We had a great time with y’all!