As is the case for many parents, they find themselves getting caught up in the expectations of society.   The result of such strivings regularly breeds not just healthy competition, but also comparison.   This leads further and further away from contentment, and often creates a two-headed monster, finding little satisfaction without increasing status up the social ladder, inclusive also of the insatiable hunger of monetary gain.

The sad result is often evidenced through the innocent eyes of their children.   It is not an uncommon occurrence that parents "half-listen" when their children come to them with concerns, or seeking guidance and encouragement.

Bobby listens intently at the dinner table as Dad and Mom voice one of their common interests ...their popularized political views.    They both have a fondness for their son's fourth grade teacher, whose main focus when they'd met for a teacher's meeting was not purely educational, but filled with accolades for this "Land of Opportunity", the United States of America.   But after the meal, thoughts and aspirations go their separate ways.   Dad picks up the Sports and Leisure section of the newspaper, while Mom thumbs through a fashion magazine.

George is thinking of how he can come up with the necessary funds to buy a new fishing boat.   He doesn't really hear his son's enthusisam, but nonetheless pats him on the head, "That's good, Bobby!"

Bobby was seeking encouragement, but his enthusiasm is not diminished as he puts forth his idea to Mom.   Mom looks at the sink full of dishes that has to be dealt with.   She can exercise the principle of "out of sight, out of mind" for the pile of dirty laundry in the basement ...but the dishes can't wait.   Normally, neither would be an overwhelming chore, but she has plans to go shopping with a few of the ladies ...a rite of passage to fit in at church, and a near necessity for the upcoming social gathering.   Mom's desire is the same as Dad's, and her response is no different, "That's good, Bobby!"

Bobby understands that this is often the case, that adults seldom really listen, but he knows his parents love him.   And he will be sure to get their attention when the President writes him back.

Bobby is sure the President is too busy to write every little boy, but his plan is sure to work.   He will also send a package of Grandma's cookies.

Bobby reaches for Mom's recipe card box.    Grandma's recipe is right in front.   It is getting late, so he places it on the middle of the table.   Tomorrow is Saturday.   He will write the letter in the morning.   The neighbor boy can help him with the recipe.   Alex's parents both golf on Saturdays ...and Alex usually has full run of the house.

Bobby's mom is first to get up.   George works as foreman in the iron ore mines, and she always makes him breakfast and packs him a lunch.   She sees the recipe card on the table, but thinks she had left it out, returning it to its rightful place.

George is not very attentive to his wife at breakfast.   He had fallen asleep attempting to devise in his head a new mixture of explosives for the mine.   George is pre-occupied with those thoughts, "Marge, could you get me something to write on, please?"    Marge gets him a blank recipe card.   George writes a few things down, then grumbles, "I messed it up, could you please get me another card, Dear?"

As George leaves for work, Marge decides to finally tackle that pile in the basement.   Bobby grabs his own breakfast, then finds Mom sorting through the laundry.   Bobby asks, "Can I go to Alex's house?"    Mom replies, "That's good, Bobby!"

Bobby is excited about the plan.   He grabs the recipe card from the table, but notices it is not the same card.   Bobby is in a hurry.   He quickly concludes that Mom didn't want him to take her recipe card, so she had likely just wrote down the recipe for him.

Bobby shares his excitement with Alex.   Alex is a smart boy, and a couple years older than Bobby.   Alex likes to feel he is in charge, "Here's the cookie sheets.  I'll get the ingredients, since I know where everything is.  You can write the letter."

A couple weeks go by.   Alex asks Bobby if he's heard from the President.   "Not yet, but I'm sure I will soon ...I gave him my return address."

Unbeknownst to Bobby, his package had definitely arrived.   As the President is about to address Congress, he opens with a light-hearted invitation to share some of his cookies.

One of the President's  staff notices that they are not your ordinary cookies.   Upon further inspection, it is decided that they contain a dangerous substance.   Several of the Presidental staff, and members of Congress inspect the cookies.   Some are certain that the cookies contain some sort of contaminant, while others insist they pose a potential danger in perhaps containing an extremely explosive substance.

The President's staff quickly springs into action.   An expert on explosives is called in, as well as an expert on contaminants.

Meanwhile, Congress is dividing their wisdom.   The Republicans quietly gather at one side, while the Democrats seek their own for their combined wisdom.   They all decide that before them is a task of vital importance, of the scope of a national security threat ...after all, the nation will fall apart if any, or all of them happen to be eliminated.   In essence, in saving themselves, they will be saving the nation.

The Republicans decide they are the only ones equipped to save everyone.   The Democrats put forth an equal claim.   The President's staff have two people there who each claim they are the sole person who can save them all ...one of them claiming it is a contaminant known only to them; and the other insisting that it is, in fact, not a contaminant at all, but without question, a very unstable explosive material.

Tired of the back and forth banter, the President decides to take charge!   "I am the Commander-in-Chief; and I will not allow any of you to attempt a task so grave ...that it stands to potentially send us all to our grave.    We can afford no further delays!   I will save us all ...I will toss my own cookies!"

But at that moment, a more immediate danger presents itself.   The President's young daughter approaches.   Panic sets in!   This is too dangerous for a child!   The President quickly orders his staff to escort his daughter out  ...immediately!

The Democrats and Republicans are still arguing that only their exclusive wisdom can save everyone.   The President's staff insist that the President himself must leave, as it is vital to the nation that he is out of harm's way; and furthermore, it is their job to protect him.   They insist that experts were called in ...and it should be left to them to save everyone.

But the fact is, the President's daughter has a letter in her hand that has a return address ...and a phone number that could possibly clear it all up.

To back up a bit, this all had started with a child (Bobby), and could have ended with a child (the President's daughter).    But the child is ignored, once again!   This is not a true story, but it reminds me of one.   There was another child, also not recognized or heard by many ....who, in fact, was the key to save us all; and still is!   This child's birthday is celebrated on December 25th.

But are we more concerned about being saved, or by "who" saves us?

Instead of Republicans and Democrats arguing for different political views, it is often different religions disputing the afterlife and the conditions of it; or who has present knowledge and authority to decide those things.   I believe truth should decide, but who should know it?   How sincere are the seekers?    And are those who seek truth biased, or shrouded by hidden agendas?   Many contest that it is absurd to suggest there is mere simpicity to anything so all consuming, having such an impact upon all our lives.   We look to the so-called experts in different fields of study.   We look to various organizations and their individual interests, thoughts, and beliefs.   Or we look within ourselves, thinking that all we need is what is already inside us ...that being rather naive, protective, or just plain vain.   But to suggest that ...is often the very thing that stirs the fires of anger.

I am ignorant in many ways.   I am ignorant when it comes to cars.   I am thankful that I have a good driving record, but if something goes wrong with the car ...I have no clue.   I am almost as inept with home repairs.   But being ignorant simply means that I don't know everything.    That's not a bad thing!   It's often a humbling experience ...and I need to seek others for help, which is not a bad thing.

Wisdom does not mean we have the answer to everything, but it includes knowing where we must go to find the answers.   Being ignorant of something can also be the realization of a path that leads us to being less ignorant.   Education is considered an important path for our children.   Is it not also an important path for adults?

We should never get angry by the fact that someone dare hint that we could perhaps learn more.   But sometimes our paths of learning only travel in circles:  political circles, social circles, religious circles ...and when our circles overlap with others' circles, we feel content.   But when they seldom do, we feel we lack something ...if nothing else, we have to admit we lack support.   And all this can lead to uneasiness, discontentment, bitterness, or even anger.

The truth is, the story I began with contained one truth!    And none of the people wanted to listen to the child.   Everyone was too busy traveling in circles.   If a Democrat had solved the problem, the Republicans would have felt uneasy because they were not allowed the chance.   And if the Republicans has solved the problem, the Democrats would not have felt relief, having not had the opportunity to have solved it themselves.

I see many problems in this world that seem to have no quick and easy solution to them.   But with an entire caldron of solutions brewing about, often we become offended.   Of course, caution is better than blind acceptance, otherwise our diet may consist of anything.   The trouble is, though we may get some things right, we tend to mix simple truth within our own caldron.   When that happens, the truth itself stands as an offense, as are those who present it, being viewed as authors of offense rather than truth bearers.

In the story this blog began with, you read the script, so you know the truth.   There was only one truth how the cookies got there ...and there was a return address, as well as a phone number.   With that information, everyone in the story could have easily found out who made the cookies and the ingredients used ...but they didin't.   So were they really sincere about getting saved, or were they more concerned about traveling in their comfortable circles?

I believe it is rather clear that Jesus is the only way to salvation.   I stand ready to tell you why I believe that!   But will you listen?   Or will you be like the characters in the story ...and continue to travel in circles?

Are you offended?   Are you perhaps angry?   If you are angry ...would you be interested in knowing truly why you are angry?

Anger is beyond most emotions; it has talons gripping our flesh, and we fear being torn to shreds!

But anger doesn't only hurt us ...it hurts others too!   And it's very difficult to do anything else, except further infect our lives and spread it to others ...all too soon becoming an epidemic.   But let me make something clear ...there is a cure!   It's one simple ingredient that, when missing, causes our humble pie to become bitter.   That one ingredient that we cannot omit is the sweet truth of Jesus.