Not all God’s people said it

In our economy, the pecking order is set up something like this:  the bigger you are, the more (and the harder) you ‘peck.’  Conversely, the smaller you are, the more likely you are to get ‘pecked.’

So it’s been for endless ages throughout human history, much to the chagrin of the parents who must deal with such fallout from the GOE (Garden of Eden).

It is to be admitted that there is less ‘pecking’ now that the largest of the troop has moved off the reservation and onto the campus at ‘Beffel.’

However.

That leaves his next-younger brother who is possessed of such natural quickness, instincts, reflexes, and creativity as to make 10 mothers’ heads spin.  And twice that many younger siblings run.  Here’s one small example from the post-church ride home yesterday.

Mr. Schrock:  “Where was So-and-So (a friend) today?”

Me:  “He’s home sick.  He hardly ever gets sick.  We need to be praying that we all stay healthy before, during, and after our trip (the upcoming holiday foray into other climes).”

And here I began to pray out loud on the passenger’s side in my heated leather seat:  “Dear Lord, please protect us and keep us all healthy before our trip and while we are there.   Keep us strong and healthy after we come back, too.”  Or something close to this.  Then, bringing it in for a landing, I added, “And all God’s people agreed in prayer and said…”

From the driver’s side, Mr. Schrock chimed in, “Amen!”  From behind me, the teenager chipped in.  “Amen!”  From the back seat, crickets chirped.

Then the teenager with mock indigation in his voice said:  “Hey!  Not all God’s people said, ‘amen!’”  And so commenced a pounding and thrashing from behind my shoulder blades with significant screeching and hollering from the 12-year-old peck-ee.

Lucky for them, their father chuckled.  Not surprisingly, their mother hee-hawed.  And so they both lived to see another day.

Sighing.  And laughing.  And sighing again.

The author shall leave it for you, the reader, to decide if there’s any beauty in such family uproar or not.  Feel free to weigh in or just pray silently in your seat.