MARDI GRAS

We were going in search of sunshine.  We found rain.  More rain.  And, finally, sunshine.  The big surprise is that we also found Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras is not that big of a deal in Indiana.  Just something on the evening news showing the parties, parades, floats and beads in New Orleans.  Apparently, Mardi Gras began in Mobile, Alabama.  Seems New Orleans hijacked the celebration and, as one local Alabamian said, “They ruined it.”

We went to our first Mardi Gras parade.  It was a short parade and I caught a few beads.

No matter where it started or who does it best, Fat Tuesday found us standing along the Orange Beach, Alabama parade route.  Bill held a bag and I was on the front line ready to grab beads and anything else that might be thrown from the floats.

The floats were pretty cool.  Some had loud music but they all had extremely bright colors.  And those people on the floats had bags and bags of beads to toss out.  It did not matter if you had 20 strands of beads around your neck and 20 more in the bag, you reached high and wide to grab any that came anywhere in your vicinity.  I got pretty good at catching beads.  It was fun!!!

I did pass a few beads to others.  I was not completely selfish.  Close but not totally.  I did collect a lot of beads.

When the parade was over and we were heading back to the hotel, I got to thinking about all the beads.  Those beads were being tossed in every direction.  Tossed to everyone.  Some people did not even try to catch them.  They never even bent over to pick them up if they landed at their feet.  Others, like me, went for it with gusto and joy.  Catching beads and putting them on.  Reds.  Greens.  Purple.  Blue.  Gold.  Silver.  Catching beads and then getting ready for the next float and more beads.

Sorta like being a Christian.  There are so many blessings.  So many promises.  So much God has for us.  And HE WANTS US TO HAVE IT ALL.

Which are you?  Do you see the blessings?  Do you watch as blessing after blessing comes your way, but you just let them land at your feet?  Not even bothering to pick them up?  Do you stand there with a few blessing and think that is enough? 

OR

Do you go after all God has to offer with gusto and joy?  Do you reach high?  Do you pick them up?

God loves us so much. God has so many gifts for us.  Do you accept them?

Or do you just stand and watch the parade go by?