“Mike!  Time to wake up! We are about to leave. Are you coming?” The gentle voices of my travelling companions, pierced through my blissful sleep. 

“Hhhhhhmmmmmm”, I groaned silently to myself. I vaguely became aware of my surroundings. The statements slowly ignited my memory.

“Yes.  Give me a few minutes. I think I need to collect my senses.”

I forced a smile on my face. Getting up was a struggle. I had been awake for most of the night. Just one of many such nights. My mind was now reeling from the effects of getting very little sleep. My body was numb. Sleep clung to me with the discomfort of wet clothing.

Slowly I began to feel exhilarated by the prospects of the upcoming treasure hunt. We were going to the market to get a supply of vegetables and fruits. The early morning market shopping was freedom. It was welcomed freedom to skip selecting prepackaged and over-processed food.

My mouth watered as I imagined the taste and smell of the many fruits and vegetables. I could see myself walking in the market. Stopping occasionally to bite into samples of the fruits. Skipping to avoid being splashed with the water from jelly coconuts. Lifting it to my head and drinking deeply. I felt revived as I imagined the flow of the water down my throat. My mouth watered as it remembered the sweet taste of the water. I saw myself handing the emptied coconut to the vendor. The machete being raised high in the air. A momentary gleam of sunlight from the razor sharp blade as it swiftly cut through the air. Swoosh! Descending swiftly to cut the coconut husk in two perfect halves. Revealing the white soft jelly of young coconut.

My senses reeled from the familiar smells and sounds of the market. I could hear the people calling out prices. Boasting on the quality of their products. The endearing calls as they enticed you to stop and purchase

Only The Best Is Good Enough

On reaching the market my sister quickly found a parking space. Men had converted nearby housing complex parking spaces into paid public parking lots. After parking I went over to the ‘self-appointed’ attendant. Without a word he held out his hand. The charge was placed into his greedy outstretched palm. We walked away knowing the car would be safely guarded while we shopped.

Navigating the market required skill. You had to move quickly. Vendors had to think you had a set destination in mind. Failure to appear otherwise meant being pulled in every direction. We stopped only to inspect produce that was well presented and healthy. When possible, the food was prodded, poked, smelt and tasted. Only the very best was worth our money.

The sellers (Jamaicans call them Higglers) wanted to offload over-ripe or partly bruised fruits on us. We were not having it! We wanted good quality. As much as possible, the fruits had to be tasted before they were purchased. When something was not acceptable, the seller was given a piercing disapproving look. A quick witty remark echoed how we felt.

“What is! Oh no! Can’t do this! Mam/Sir, why are you trying this. You know this isn’t acceptable.”

A quick laughter was added to minimize the impact of our words. While our facial expression spoke volumes of our disapproval. Without another word we swiftly turned and moved on to the next vendor. Only the best was good enough. We were determined to get value for our money.

The Father’s Choice

Thankfully Jesus Christ does not make His selection as we do. I picture Him walking through the market and stopping to smell the rotten fruits. He smiles as He fills His basket or shopping bag with the blemished produce. All around mockers and scoffers are laughing as they offload the rejected fruits. With the broadest smile and gentlest of words, expressing much gratitude, He takes those produce that worms and maggots have already devoured a great part of. He gladly takes those that are putrid.

“What a sucker,” some think as they smile and quickly hand him the decaying produce.

Others vendors smirk at the scene unfolding before them. Whisper fills the market. People are shocked.

“How can someone be so naive, so stupid, to purchase food that is normally thrown away.”  

Feeling satisfied with his purchases he departs for home. Many cover their nose as he walks pass them. Some gag as the putrid smell from the bags fill their nose. They are utter disbelief at what he has done.

Once home He goes into the kitchen. Lays the bag on the counter. With the utmost care he slowly and very gently He removes each fruit. He then gets to work. The rotten parts are gently peeled off. Suddenly a renewal begins. Immediately after the part is discarded, new part appears. The pots and pans are taken out. All ingredients are put together. The fire is lit. The pots are heated. All ingredients are put in the pots.

The smell from the kitchen draws others from outside the house. The door is never closed. Passers-by are drawn by the smell of the food. One by one they begin to enter the house. All have stopped to eat. Soon the house is full. 

Everyone is seated, He begins to serve. The meal was prepared using a very small pot. Experts will tell you that only one person can eat from it. What happens is marvelous. Unexplainable. People kept coming throughout the day. Hundreds ate and were filled.

Food was also left for others. The meal was served long ago but the smell from the kitchen continues to permeate the atmosphere.

The door remained open. Others arrive. His radiant smile welcomes them. They are fed and are filled. Those that were thirsty drank. Never again will their thirst. Forever and ever their thirst was quenched.

The Lesson

So many of us only purchase what gives value for money. Thankfully we have a Father who choses his children without that criteria. You can come to him just as you are. Know that He will never forsake or reject you.

Your Father will receive you with open arms. With laughter and great joy he will gladly receive you.

Know that whatever you may be struggling with He will fix. He will make you into a brand new person. The work begins immediately. You can feel the change. As you learn about Him and spend time with Him everything will change.

Your tests will become a testimony. It will bless others.