War of the Watermelons

Walking through the grocery store with a shopping cart towering full of watermelons brings a lot of attention. I couldn't help but notice the heads that were turning and watching me as I slowly strolled down the isle in Food 4 Less. Some folks had to ask, and I had to tell them - these watermelons aint for eatin'. Some needed explanation twice, asking, "What exactly is a watermelon war?"

Those who came last night didn't need an extra explanation of what exactly is a watermelon war. They understood, VERY WELL, what it is. I was so sticky when I got home that I wasn't sure my shirt would actually peel off my arms. But inside I was happy because there isn't much that is quite as fun as slinging watermelon guts at other people you care about. :)

We ate hot dogs, fries, pizza rolls, chips and salsa, apples, apple pie and ice cream. After the watermelon war we feasted on God's Word in a Bible study on fear. Everyone loves watermelons, but when we circled around them about to go to war I have to admit, I was a little nervous. It's kind of a metaphor for life. We all love to be alive, but have to admit life makes us nervous and afraid all the time. Psalm 23:4 talks about the fact we have to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" in this world. But praise God, He has a plan for us! Jesus outlined that plan in John 14:1-3 and said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled" because He is coming back! 1 John 4 says God is love and perfect love casts out all fear. If we stay close to God, His love grows and grows in our lives and fear as a result grows less and less. Philippians 4:4-9 says to take our anxieties and fears to God in prayer. It says to set our minds on the things that are good.

Will we trust God's Word and follow His direction? If we do, life will get a whole lot sweeter, with or without the watermelon.