May 18, 2005 4:09 PM
Who likes vanilla?
Okay, so I promised yesterday to follow up with something more interesting -- at least to my way of thinking -- than catching up on tired old Christian controversies. I mean, honestly, when you stop and think that all of us are like survivors from a sinking ship -- once lost, now found -- you'd think we could spend our time and energy fending off the slings and arrows of the world.
But, noooooooo. You name it, we'll squabble over it: from speaking in tongues, predestination, sanctification, and end times to birth control, women's role, homeschooling, and whether we should watch Nanny 911.
It's as though Westward movement settlers, while under attack, circled the wagons and began firing rounds toward the center. It certainly wouldn't make me want to sign on with a group of pioneers.
I'd rather shoot the Indians, or at least invite them in for a hearty meal. And in between I'd like to admire and try to share new discoveries and find common ground and build relationships.
Our family has a phrase for when things get tense, based on an event ten years ago. We were in the big ol' Club Wagon, as I recall, and we had an all-family squabble -- all-family as in involving all members of the family -- followed by a terrible tense silence. All of a sudden, eight-year-old Ben piped up, "Who likes vanilla?" We all started laughing, and ever since when we reach those tense moments, someone will say it:
Who likes vanilla?
Comments
That's a great saying: "Who likes vanilla?"
Posted by: Mel | May 18, 2005 5:29 PM
I do!
Posted by: jasmine | May 18, 2005 5:34 PM
Thanks for the reminder.
Posted by: Lexie | May 19, 2005 12:25 AM
The disagreements reminded me of the tensions the Amish/conservative Mennonites used to have over whether to use buttons or hooks and eyes to fasten their clothes. (Buttons were seen as too ornamental, worldly, by some.) Sometimes you just have to let people be at their own stage in their journey toward God. (Especially on the internet, where contact is so limited.)
Posted by: Julana | May 19, 2005 9:02 AM
