Of Jacks, Sprats, and People Like That

"He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."  Ephesians 4:16

Do you remember the nursery rhyme, Jack Sprat?  As a reminder, it goes like this:

Jack Sprat could eat no fat

His wife could eat no lean

And, so betwixt the two of them

They licked the platter clean

You may be wondering what on earth that nursery rhyme has to do with the referenced verse in Ephesians, but it's really quite simple.  Jack and his wife were opposite when it came to the things they could eat, but that is what allowed them to work together so beautifully.

In our churches, our homes, our schools, it is the same way.  So often we want to be around others who are just like us, but that is not healthy for anyone.  When we are each allowed to do our own special work, that thing that we are called or gifted to do, then everyone around us benefits.  We all flourish and the whole environment is one that is healthy and growing and full of love.

Are you mature enough to leave those tasks you are not best at to the one who is?  

In our house, one loves chocolate and another loves vanilla.  That's one thing we've never had a fight about.

Together, may we lick the platter clean.