Braden Braden Braden

On my vacation many strange things happened as they usually do when you are in a totally different environment than you are used to. I was sick almost the whole time, which made for a eventless but restful trip. I saw a man bare hand a jelly fish that was several feet long. He looked at it, grabbed it and threw it up on the beach. I had never seen that before. I actually boarded an ice cream truck. I’ve never done that before. I saw an airplane dip down and fly about 5 feet above the water right in front of me. I had never seen that. But there was one thing that happened that was more strange to me than anything else. My family and I walked in to a local seafood and burger joint where I immediately spotted an old acquaintance that I hadn’t seen in at least 8 years. It was one of those times where you know that you know the person, but you want to make sure they recognize you before you approach. He looked up and motioned to me to come see him so I walked to his table and said hello. I couldn’t remember his last name, but I chatted with him and met his wife and 2 and ½ year old son, Braden. Nothing weird yet, just small talk. Shortly after, I joined my family at our table and ordered a burger. As dinner took place, Braden kept running over to our table and latching on to me and pulling my arm. It was no big deal to me, because I am used to kids, but it was very out of the ordinary. As dinner went on , Braden continued, but this is when everything changed. I could tell that Braden’s eyes were fixed on my hamburger. He kept running over and staring at it. I thought he was just hungry, so I paid no attention. After several annoying episodes with Braden, I began to wonder when his parents would intervene. They didn’t! Suddenly as I talked to my family I saw a small hand reach up and grab the top bun off of my hamburger. Before I could react, Braden proceeded to shred my bun and crush it in his tiny grip as he let out a proud squeal. I was more amazed at his boldness and the lack of his parents concern than I was with his annihilation of my beach burger. Braden was so proud.
That’s the annoying thing about little kids. They are only concerned with what they want and haven’t yet learned that you have to consider others. Braden only wanted to squish my bread through his annoying fingers without concern for the fact that I was paying,hungry and that I needed that top bun to hold the rest of the burger together.
You see all of us are born self-centered, mainly concerned with the promotion, and satisfaction of ourselves and not so much concerned for the advancement and success of others. Just stay at your table and leave other peoples food alone!

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV, John 13:34-35)