Victoria Advocate, A Different Perspective
Since Dave and I were getting over colds, we decided not to go to New Braunfels for our granddaughter’s birthday. I got a combo birthday-Valentine package in the mail and was delighted to hear it would arrive on her actual birthday. Matter of fact, it got there the evening before. They celebrated a day early and Ria’s one regret was that she’d have no present on THE DAY, but she did! I had wrapped the Betty Crocker’s Boy and Girl cookbook, a gift my mom had given me when I was a girl. I loved it, my daughter loved it, and when I realized it was still on my cookbook shelf, it was the perfect treasure to pass down to a granddaughter who loves to cook. Never underestimate the power of perfect timing.
Our other fun event was a Super Bowl party. Friends from church host it every year, and we look forward to it, no matter who is playing. This year, San Francisco and Kansas City battled for the win. I’d watched the two teams throughout the season and was fairly sure it would be a great game.
Aside from the big screen, we all enjoyed the chili cookoff. The hostess and I ladled four different chili offerings into small paper cups and lined them on a tray. She delivered them to three judges with official-looking score pads, spoons, and a sack of oyster crackers. I had attached sticky notes to each pot with a number. Everyone who walked by tried to guess whose pot would win. Informal at best, but we all loved it.
Our son came and brought his two boys with their Rubik’s cubes. They’ve been practicing and get faster every week. The boys’ eyes grew wide at the large buffet of food aside from the chili. I held their plates and walked them through the choices. They weren’t interested in the main course, but were happy enough with cornbread, fried chicken, and fruit. Later, they were pleased to find the dessert bar.
Our older grandson mostly enjoyed watching the game. The youngest was content to show off his cube skills to any grandparent who would watch. Have to admit, he was pretty cute. He wears glasses and works the cube really fast, talking about memorizing algorithms.
I finally settled into a chair to watch the teams play somewhere in the third quarter. Close game, that one. It’s all about football for me. I’m not one to watch the commercials, and the half time performances don’t interest me either. The game, however, was a lively showdown and did not disappoint. When it stretched into overtime, we all paid attention. When Patrick threw for the final touchdown, both sides cheered, even as we gathered up to go. My oldest grandson found me and proudly announced a phrase I’d been using all season whenever we’d view a Kansas City game. “Never underestimate the Chiefs.”
That said, most people underestimate God’s ability too. Except Scripture refutes our thinking with the words, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” (NAS, Luke 1:37) Jesus told the Sadducees, a group of learned men of their times (and certainly the most religious along with the Pharisees) that their mistake was “you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” (NLT, Matthew 22: 29) Because God doesn’t work on our particular timetable, we decide He’s not working at all. Or doesn’t care. Nothing could be farther from the truth. God is concerned about what concerns us, and He cares. Unlike us, He’s omnipotent and can do anything He pleases. He’s infinite. We are finite beings. Our physical lives will end someday, but there’s no end to God.
Let’s open our minds to the possibility that God knows exactly what He’s doing and has our best interests at heart. It’s starts with not underestimating His ability… or His timing.