Food For Thought

When I was little, I couldn't wait to be old. Not because I would be able to drive or drink or anything like that. I wanted to be old because I wanted to be like my grandfathers. I was fortunate enough to have both my grandfathers until I was almost out of high school, so I knew them both pretty well. And the thing I admired most about both of them was their wisdom. They seemed to know what was important and what was not. They knew what to get excited about and what not to. There was just always something calming about being around Grandpa or Papa.

As I've gotten a little older I've realized that the only way to gain wisdom is by living longer. Oh sure, you can get an education, but that isn't the same thing as wisdom. Wisdom comes from applying the education in real life, learning from your mistakes, and not repeating them. Wisdom is thinking about what you're doing and seeing far enough into the future to realize the consequences of your actions before you do them.

I'll share with you some of my wisdom. When I was 18 I developed some stomach problems and had to have a procedure that required me to go without food for a couple of days. I remember not eating on a Wednesday night, all day Thursday and then having the procedure on Friday morning. I remember this because the Mr. Gatti's Pizza by the hospital had a buffet on Fridays and that is where I went after my procedure. I ate all the pizza and pasta I wanted. And it never even phased me. (I remember this because my grandmother yelled at me for being so stupid! She said I was going to ruin my stomach!)

A few years ago I had to go without food again for a procedure. I fasted for three days and afterward I was very hungry. I went to my favorite place and had my favorite meal. Wisdom kicked in. (Or it might have been age.) Lesson learned: Never break a three day fast with a Trio del Fuego from Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican Cafe.

It's Friday morning. I haven't eaten since the burger I had before Bible Study on Wednesday night in preparation for a test this afternoon. Afterward I will apply wisdom. I have a banana and some eggs ready for my first meal.

1 Corinthians 13:11 says, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."

I hope someday to have grand kids of my own. And when I do, I hope they will look at me and see something they want to have. I hope by that time I have wisdom to show.

Think about it.