The family was all over by the river. They were watching the water-skiers while the two little boys were fishing. The grown-ups sat in lawn chairs. What a lovely fall day it was.
Ten-year-old Ruthie came and hung on the arm of Mother’s chair. She swung back and forth and began to coax for some popcorn.
Daddy said, “Let Mother rest awhile. She has had a busy day, Ruthie. Do you know how to make popcorn?”
“Oh yes,” answered Ruthie. “I know just how to do it, and I can do it all by myself too.”
Mother agreed to let her pop some popcorn and added a few instructions. “Be sure to use the big heavy pan with the tight-fitting lid.” Then she told Ruthie just how much oil and popcorn to put in the pan and reminded her to keep the burner low so as not to scorch the popcorn.
Ruthie was so excited that she skipped the whole way to the house. You see, she had three older sisters, and she seldom got to do things all by herself. Older sisters and brothers sometimes forget to be kind and usually tell the younger ones what to do. They forget that the Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:32, “Be ye kind one to another.”
Soon the heavy pan was on the stove. The oil and popcorn were carefully measured and put in the pan. Ruthie made sure she turned the burner on low. Then with anxious eyes she watched to see the first kernel pop in the sizzling oil.
There it went! “POP!” It was so white and fluffy. Then, “pop-pop-pop,” and the corn was making such a happy sound as it began to fill the pan. Suddenly one kernel shot right up and out of the pan as it popped, then another, and another! Soon popcorn was flying all over the kitchen!
Ruthie was really frightened and didn’t know what to do next. She ran out of the house over to the river screaming, “Mother! Mother! Help! Help!”
Everyone came running. What a popcorn snowstorm met them in the house! Popcorn was all over! Ruthie had tried her best to do a good job of making the popcorn all by herself. But she hadn’t followed one important instruction of her mother’s - put the lid on the big pan.
God’s Book, the Bible, gives many instructions for us to follow. But one of God’s instructions is the most important and must be followed if your life is not going to end in disaster. “Without faith it is impossible to please [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Everyone helped clean up the kitchen. Even the dog was invited into the house for a popcorn feast. Then Ruthie started again, but this time, after she had measured the oil and popcorn, she set the burner just right, and then she carefully placed the lid on the pan. All the popcorn stayed in the pan this time.
Soon it was finished, and Ruthie salted it just the way she had been told. She started for the river again with the apple basket in one hand and the big pan of popcorn in the other. When the family saw her coming, they all clapped their hands and cheered her along. They were pleased that Ruthie had done everything right this time.
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Isaiah 1:19. Have you obeyed God’s instructions? If you will confess to Him that you are a sinner and believe that the Lord Jesus died to save you, He will wash away your sins so that you can go to heaven. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. All you have to do is come to Him and believe. This is the most important instruction from God and must be followed first. Have you done this?
ML-08/29/1993