The Great Pretenders

Emerson Ann’s parents don’t allow her to chew gum, mainly because she’s prone to eating it instead of chewing it, but there are other problems that can befall a three-year-old chewing gum, too. Emerson’s long blond hair comes to mind. Yes, it’s probably wise not to allow her to chew gum, although everyone should have the pleasure of getting gum out of a little girl’s crowning glory with peanut butter at least once. (Yes, Aunt Jessica, I’m throwing that at you.)

This is not to say that Emerson can’t chew a mean stick of pretend gum! “What kind of gum do you have, Keggie?” Emerson asked me recently while working over her own imaginary piece. “Orange,” I said. (I’m currently hooked on Trident Tropical.) “I got purple,” Emerson said breezily, looking for all the world like she really did! My grandson is a good pretender, too. Grant’s big thing right now is having his parents pretend to go to sleep and snore. Not sure what that’s about… I realize there’s nothing unusual about these stories, y’all, but grandparent type people do find that sort of thing charming. Besides, I’m going somewhere with this.

Children are natural pretenders, aren’t they? Indeed, just like big people. Hmm…is it me, or did it get quiet in here? There are a handful of references to pretending in the book of 1st John alone. Over and over John opens a train of thought using remarks that begin with “if a man says” before he cautions us not to pretend to be something we aren’t. Granted, there are a host of pitfalls awaiting the pretender, but for brevity’s sake, I want to address the problem a true believer finds when he or she falls prey to this familiar ruse. Pretending is heavy. It’s burdensome. It stinks. Okay, that was three, but you see where I’m going. spiritual honesty is peaceful, y’all. If prayer time isn’t a peaceful time, it’s a sure sign there’s some pretending going on. If this has your name on it, address it, confess it, and reclaim your peace!

My hugs and His Great Blessings,
Shellie