It was a special time for me and Grandma when our granddaughters spent the night with us. Olivia, the youngest, hasn’t stayed with us as often as her older sister and brother. I don’t like cooking on Sunday morning, but decided to when the girls wanted eggs. Olivia is a picky eater and I really wanted her to eat a good breakfast. I cooked my special, scrambled eggs with meat and was surprised to hear Olivia say “I don’t like scrambled eggs.”
I was upset by her reaction, but her older sister confirmed, “Olivia doesn’t like scrambled eggs.” “She only eats the other kind (fried).” I didn’t like going through all that trouble again, but Olivia is so tiny that I really wanted her to eat and wanted to show her my love. Yes, I cleaned out the pan and fried Olivia two eggs, which was one more than she could eat. I don’t know why my grandchildren are such picky eaters. When I was a child, I had to eat whatever was prepared for me. I had my preferences, but was rarely given the option to choose. It was a learning experience for me and I will do better next time.
There have been many times when “I don’t like” wasn’t an option. I served 23 years in the Air Force and had to follow orders. Following “orders” is so important to military discipline that soldiers can be severely punished for disobedience. In time of war they can even be killed for disobeying. Nobody wants to die, but commanders can order their troops to put their lives at risk to achieve a goal. The troops may not even know why, but they have to follow orders.
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). What if JESUS had refused to die for our sins? He didn’t like to die on the cross. He even asked “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (but continued with) “nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Mat 26:39 KJV). In spite of His great sacrifice, many have said “I don’t like” and didn’t receive salvation. Fortunately for us, JESUS so loved the world, He did what He didn’t like to save the world He loved.
Wayne Lance (2017)