I have an idea for toothpaste companies. Actually, I got the idea from my 6-year old son. We were at the store looking for a toothpaste that he would use and not throw a fit about. Unlike many other children, my son does not like any fruity flavors. (This also makes taking medicine a wonderful experience with him.) We were checking out all the toothpaste flavors; bubble-gum, strawberry, double-fruity. None of these made my little dirtball excited about brushing his teeth.
Then I saw some kid's mint-flavored paste. I told my son that mint was not fruity. I also told him, a few times, that mint might not taste great, but the purpose of toothpaste isn't to taste great. He's lucky, I continued, that he's not using my toothpaste, which is a combination of toilet cleaner and that taste at the back of your throat after a night when you've slept with your mouth open. By comparison, I explained, he could survive mint flavored toothpaste.
That night I brought out the new mint-flavored toothpaste and started to help him brush his teeth, only to see the fit that I had feared. I reminded him that he had helped me pick this flavor out. When I reminded him it was mint and not fruity, he threw himself to the ground and wailed, 'I thought you said meat.'
That's right. Meat. MEAT! Brand new; toothpaste for men, flavored like your favorite cut of meat. Think about it. After a breakfast of eggs and toast, you can brush your teeth with bacon-flavored toothpaste. What could be better? Ending your day with some steak-flavored mouthwash.
I guess I can chalk this up to yet another experience when I only thought I was being understood. And my son will have to survive mint toothpaste, wondering why his concerns aren't being felt by others. Isn't this what a lot of our lives come down to? We want to be understood by others. They want us to understand them. I imagine God feels the same way, as we throw our fits, asking where He is and if He is listening. I wonder if God wonders when we'll understand Him.
Then I saw some kid's mint-flavored paste. I told my son that mint was not fruity. I also told him, a few times, that mint might not taste great, but the purpose of toothpaste isn't to taste great. He's lucky, I continued, that he's not using my toothpaste, which is a combination of toilet cleaner and that taste at the back of your throat after a night when you've slept with your mouth open. By comparison, I explained, he could survive mint flavored toothpaste.
That night I brought out the new mint-flavored toothpaste and started to help him brush his teeth, only to see the fit that I had feared. I reminded him that he had helped me pick this flavor out. When I reminded him it was mint and not fruity, he threw himself to the ground and wailed, 'I thought you said meat.'
That's right. Meat. MEAT! Brand new; toothpaste for men, flavored like your favorite cut of meat. Think about it. After a breakfast of eggs and toast, you can brush your teeth with bacon-flavored toothpaste. What could be better? Ending your day with some steak-flavored mouthwash.
I guess I can chalk this up to yet another experience when I only thought I was being understood. And my son will have to survive mint toothpaste, wondering why his concerns aren't being felt by others. Isn't this what a lot of our lives come down to? We want to be understood by others. They want us to understand them. I imagine God feels the same way, as we throw our fits, asking where He is and if He is listening. I wonder if God wonders when we'll understand Him.
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