My first Lunchable

It had been a long walk through the woods from my friend Corey Stout’s house until we finally reached his treehouse. Corey had a legit treehouse too - it was built onto the side of a tree and even had a rope ladder. It was inside this treehouse that my childhood meal desires were changed forever, because when we reached the top of the treehouse, Corey pulled out a square plastic container. I peeled back the top of the container to reveal sliced round lunchmeat, slices of square cheese, round crackers and, my favorite, a candy bar! I was about to experience my first Lunchable - and have my world rocked!

After that point, and for the next 5 or 6 years, I desired a Lunchable for every meal. It was the best thing ever! I was convinced that when God sent manna down from Heaven, it was it came in a square plastic container, which contained round slices of lunchmeat, square slices of cheese, round crackers and a candy bar.

There was only one obstacle to that - it was 4 foot, 11 and half inches tall - it was my Mom. Rarely would she give in to my constant nagging to buy a Lunchable. In fact, she frequently told me she would by a box of round crackers, lunchmeat and cheese, and I could make my own Lunchables. She never seemed to understand that it just wasn’t the same as opening up a square container and peeling off the top. She always insisted that we didn’t have enough money to buy the actual thing.

Over the course of my friendship with Corey Stout, I found there were a lot of things his parents could afford that mine could not. See, Corey had everything. He even got a pinball machine - yeah, like the one you find in an arcade - for Christmas from Santa. I’m sure my mom had a great time trying to explain to me why Corey Stout’s Santa could afford a pinball machine, but mine couldn’t…especially when there’s only supposed to be one Santa!

Over the course of our friendship, I also experienced several other firsts at Corey’s house.

Legos - I first played with Legos at Corey Stout’s house. To this day, I have not seen a Lego collection as big as Corey’s. I’m pretty sure that he once built a full sized replica of his house out of Legos.

Video Games - The first time I played video games was at Corey’s house. I didn’t have video games until until I was 14 or 15 because, you guessed it, my parents couldn’t afford it!

Trampoline - My first trampoline experience took place in Corey’s front yard. Who knew one could jump that high, all because of springs and a nylon surface?!?

Tonight, as I ate slimy, round slices of lunchmeat and cheese - which I’m convinced isn’t really even cheese - on round crackers, my thoughts drifted back to the first time I ate a Lunchable. Its amazing how some things just don’t seem as special when you’re older - things change as you grow up. My Lunchable that I ate tonight didn’t even have a candy bar in it!

Even though experiences, and the way we perceive them, change, God does not. The way we perceive God can change and the way we understand God definitely changes as we grow, but God does not. He is faithful and loves us despite our brokenness and hurt and pain.

“Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace…”

Hebrews 13:7-9 (NLT)

Even though my perceptions of Lunchables have changed, it is amazing to know that my Savior doesn’t change and loves me the same no matter what.

On a side note - I still love Legos, video games and trampolines!