The date is December 23. The setting is Bass Pro Shop. The event is Santa's Wonderland. There are endless lines for Santa photos and indoor rides. Delirious children are everywhere.
Strategic working moms are wise. They have impassioned direction. They forge a path to reach for the golden ring; the treasured picture of their adorable child with Santa Claus. A limited number of no-wait picture passes are available at 7:00 a.m., and by 7:10 a.m. every pass is given out.
Our 4-year-old could be described as tenacious, but he lacks insight and communication skills. I doubt that he tangibly grasps his passionate desires, but at that ripe moment when he finally does, he is not easily distracted or swayed. He is unwavering. Especially when he's the birthday boy, and especially when just 2 days prior at an amusement park he unknowingly forfeited... a Santa opportunity.
On Sunday at Silver Dollar City, he was in line to see the man in the red suit. His interest was stirred. He wanted to experience the curious individual of whom his favorite cartoon characters and pre-school classmates have talked about, all of December. "The line to see Santa is too long. Let's go on your favorite ride instead."
The confused pre-schooler was easily re-directed that day; but, between Silver Dollar City and Bass Pro, just 2 days later, unbeknownst to us, the Santa craving has had time to pique and intensify. He will not easily be re-directed again.
As we circle on the Bass Pro carousel ride, what does our birthday boy do? He cries. He calls for Mama. He is delirious, and we are now confused. "We thought you'd like to ride the carousel for your birthday. Since you're not happy, let's go back to DeDe's house."
Mama to the rescue. She senses her boy's tenacious confusion. They head to a quiet corner, for garbled communication, and then comes the "aha" moment. Just left of the carousel ride he spotted the man he missed, just 2 days ago. Santa. And he desperately wants his first-ever Santa view... from a safe distance. No picture necessary. We wait as he gives St. Nick a thumbs-up, and contentment is achieved.
I hope I am as passionate about an even more important entity. The stars in the sky and the meteors communicate His beauty. It is God. Many Bible verses were written to prepare humanity for Savior God's (Jesus') first coming. His special birth, life, and death. To save us. But twice as many Bible verses point to His return.
The Bible is a communiqué, specially sent to help humanity experience a savory taste of God and his Son Jesus. Hopefully my taste buds are piqued. Hopefully I am tenacious, like a 4-year-old whose delayed Santa-desire passionately intensifies. One day. Sooner now than any time in history. I know my direction. I will see Jesus.
Note to self: Be tenacious. Communicate. And be ready.
In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed (I Corinthians 15:52).
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