My mind goes back to when our first granddaughter, Sophia, was younger. She had asked for a banana, which she wanted to peel herself as we settled to read a few books.
“Your bananas are sweet, Mimi. Delicious”.
Glad she was enjoying it, I continued reading. A few bites later, she shuddered and said, “Ugh”. When asked what was wrong, she replied, “The strings, Mimi. The strings are disgusting. I hate the strings.”
Replying that I did as well, I told her not to eat them but instead to peel the strings off and put them on the napkin. Then she shared this insight ….
“It’s part of the banana, Mimi. Don’t you know that to eat the whole banana, you have to eat the good and the bad? So after my first bite, I eat all the strings and then I only have the good banana left.”
As I remember this sweet memory, there is more to be gleaned from the memory …
It is so easy to praise God, to be thankful even, when everything is going well in life. It gets even easier when, not only is everything going well, but when good things seem to be coming our way. We can thank Him, praise Him, and worship Him with ease as life is simply delightful.
But on those days, those “stringy” days … when life seems a little bitter, not quite what you were hoping for, gratitude and worship may come with slightly more difficulty.
And with that, my thoughts turn to Job ….
Job, who loses everything, and his first response?
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:20-21, NASB)
Job did not blame God. He did not blame people. His first response was praise. Amazing, as his own wife told him to curse God, give up and die …
“But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” (Job 2:10, NASB)
Job knew and understood. He had learned well that all things come from God. It all has meaning and purpose. It is all deserving of our praise ”“ the good, the bad, and yes, even the ugly. Easy? No! Yet God is still deserving of our praise not for the circumstances, but for His very Presence being with us through it all.
It is no wonder Job was able to say …
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You.”
(Job 42:5, NASB)
There are lessons to be learned, yes, even from the strings of a banana.
There are lessons to be learned from it all.
When Christian radio programs were an important part of your childhood, the memories are as precious as the family dinners and holidays. Lois Flowers shares a moving tribute to her mom, Christian radio, and the legacy she has been given in her post “Mom and the Radio” HERE.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo by Eiliv-Sonas Aceron on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Wow, what wisdom for a young child (not to mention self-discipline!) Even though I know this principle, it’s something I have to remind myself of over and over. I don’t know why we sometimes feel that, as Christians, our paths should be smooth and free from trouble””the Bible certainly doesn’t paint that picture. And sometimes the little irritants are harder to respond rightly than major trials. May we seek God’s grace even for banana strings, like your granddaughter displayed.
Now that the analogy has been drawn for me, I hope she has since started peeling the strings off 🙂
Sophia is aptly named for she is wise. I don’t eat the strings myself, but she makes a point. 🙂 I’m currently reading Susan Cain’s book, Bittersweet, and she would agree that we take all of life–the good, the bad, and the ugly–and learn lessons from it all.
Just listened to Susan on Kate Bowler’s podcast. Her words do apply here. Even our bananas require us to receive what has been given with openness.to the longings.
She is a wise one 🙂 And yes, there are lessons we learn from all our experiences in life. I do hope she is now peeling those strings though!
Such a great analogy, Joanne. Sophia’s young wisdom is inspirational, as is her Mimi’s. 🙂 Job is a great example of your insight here, “God is still deserving of our praise not for the circumstances, but for His very Presence being with us through it all.”
Much appreciated, Karen!
Little ones have such wisdom at times! Maybe that’s why Jesus told the disciples they needed to remain childlike””open to simple observations and simple faith. I traveled last weekend and one thing after another went wrong””missing suitcase, bungled reservation, cancelled flights. I chose to remain positive. We always have a choice.
Anita, you have worded it well – may we remain “open to simple observations and simple faith.” Sorry about the travel mishaps you experienced, yet in choosing to remain positive, I hopethe weekend was still able to somehow be enjoyed.
Love this! Children have more wisdom than we could ever imagine. 🙂
It’s so true, and us Mimi’s get the joy of learning from them 🙂
Your wee granddaughter was so right! How tragic and common that we humans only ever want the good stuff…
You made me pause and think for a minute, Jan. Perhaps as our perspectives change, we experience a little more good.
I know no better way to grow in Christ, outside of God’s Word and prayer, than to spend time with children! I loved your banana lesson!
I so agree, Amy. I loved raising my own two, and have had the joy of spending a lot of time with all three granddaughters while their parents worked. They have taught me plenty!
I’m a firm believer you can find a sermon in anything; but I must admit I did not think of it in a banana string! Sophia is a very smart – and disciplined – little girl!
She was probably about 7 or 8YO when we had this conversation. Hopefully, she is peeling those strings now 🙂
I love the lessons we can learn from children!
They are absolutely the best lessons!
Oh, Sophia…you are so wise! Little did you know that you would be teaching me such a deep and true lesson! Sophia, I am 74 years old and you are my teacher this day! I will never eat a banana in the same way. I do not like those strings either and have always pulled them off. Even if I continue to pull them off, I will think of this next time and the next! Thank you.
And thank you, Joanne for sitting me down with me today to share Sophia and God’s Truth.
Linda, you have made the tears roll. I, too, peel the strings but I have never forgotten this day. She said it so matter of factly. Like, how could you not know you have to eat it all? Some parts of life are just not as enjoyable as other parts, but … they all play a part in the plan the Lord has for us. May the Lord give me (us) grace to accept all things from His hands. {{hugs}}
What a great lesson!
We learn important lessons from our children and grandchildren. I don’t think your message will encourage me to eat banana strings, but you have shared an important lesson for us to remember to be thankful in all circumstance (1 Thes 5:18). Job is a wonderful example, although I despair of being able to duplicate his faith.
Love it Ms. Joanne. Your little Miss Sophia can teach us all a lesson or six. So enjoyed ma’am. Thank you!
Great post, Joanne-love the wisdom of children! I do eat the strings, but there are plenty of other “stringy” days when I am less than eager to praise God!
Out of the mouths of babes God’s wisdom is heard Joanne!
Beautiful post!
Blessings,
Jennifer
Aw, Joanne … I wonder what prompted your granddaughter to start eating banana strings in the first place. 🙂 It sounds like she had a good head on her shoulders even at that young age. I have a lot to learn from Sophia””and from Job””about praising God through the good days and the bad. (Thank you for sharing my post about my mom and the radio … that was a sweet surprise!)
What a great analogy! The sweet wouldn’t seem so sweet without the bitter, but I still peel off those strings. 🙂