If you read the title to this blog, I'm sure you're wondering what popcorn and a bloody nose might have in common. And rightfully so, because in reality they have nothing in common. But here's what happened this morning:
My son Josiah has been sick for a while. And though he's been a pretty good sport about the coughing and the weak voice, he woke up this morning and said to me frailly, "Mommy, can I have popcorn for breakfast. Popcorn starts with a little p." How could I say no to that request? I really could not, especially since it seemed no less healthy than the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal that was otherwise slated for him to eat.
By the time I got to work, my husband called to tell me that Josiah had gotten a bloody nose - an unfortunately genetic weakness he's inherited. As my husband was cleaning up the blood Josiah asked him, "Why does this happen to me?" And then he continued, "Is it because I eat popcorn?"
Poor Josiah! In his four year old mind this was a simple case of cause and effect. Though we got a good laugh out of it, I began thinking that I tend to oversimplify things like this too. When something bad happens I often trace it back to the last significant event, even asking God why! I've heard so many people ask why bad things happen to good people or why good things happen to bad people.
I have a feeling that God's answer is much the same as our's to Josiah: that's just the way it is sometimes.
I left Jacob and Josiah in a match over the last bit of popcorn. I was worried that I was going to read one of them punched the other one in the nose. I would have guilty!
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