Weigh the Children -- Craddock Story #1
A Reading from Isaiah 55
(And the Lord God said through the prophet Isaiah:)
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
A Story from Fred Craddock
Glenn Adsit, a schoolmate from years ago, ministered mostly in China. He was under house arrest in China when the soldiers came one day and said, “You can return to America.”
They were celebrating, and the soldiers said, “You can take 200 pounds with you.”
Well, they’d been there for years. 200 pounds. They got the scales out and started the arguments: two children, wife, husband. You know how it would go…
I just must have this vase. And I need the computer. Well, what about my books? What about this? What about that?
They weighed the stuff. Then they took this off, then that, and then weighed again. Finally, they got things right on the dot. 200 pounds.
The soldiers returned and asked, “Ready to go?”
“Yes,” Glen said.
“You weigh the kids.”
“No, we didn’t”
“Weigh the kids.”
And in a moment, the vase and books and everything became trash. Trash. It happens.
Reflection and Prayer
Given your priorities and faith, what really matters to you?
How does that translate into how you spend your time, money, and emotions?
Talk to God about what you’re pleased with and about what you would like to see change?
(And the Lord God said through the prophet Isaiah:)
1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.
A Story from Fred Craddock
Glenn Adsit, a schoolmate from years ago, ministered mostly in China. He was under house arrest in China when the soldiers came one day and said, “You can return to America.”
They were celebrating, and the soldiers said, “You can take 200 pounds with you.”
Well, they’d been there for years. 200 pounds. They got the scales out and started the arguments: two children, wife, husband. You know how it would go…
I just must have this vase. And I need the computer. Well, what about my books? What about this? What about that?
They weighed the stuff. Then they took this off, then that, and then weighed again. Finally, they got things right on the dot. 200 pounds.
The soldiers returned and asked, “Ready to go?”
“Yes,” Glen said.
“You weigh the kids.”
“No, we didn’t”
“Weigh the kids.”
And in a moment, the vase and books and everything became trash. Trash. It happens.
Reflection and Prayer
Given your priorities and faith, what really matters to you?
How does that translate into how you spend your time, money, and emotions?
Talk to God about what you’re pleased with and about what you would like to see change?