love is giving

One of my favorite places to eat is Qdoba Mexican Grill. There is nothing Mexican about it, but the burritos there, while high in sodium, are great. Last night my wife and I swung by to pick up the sodium filled burritos. More than just the burritos Qdoba also has what I consider to be the nectar of the gods … Dr. Pepper.

If you drink Dr. Pepper you are aware that one of the 23 flavors in it is an addictive chemical that makes you crave for it nightly. So there I am ordering sodium and knowing that at the end of the line I will not order a Dr. Pepper. My son, who is three years old (almost four), says to me in the car, “Dad, do you get soda at Qboda?” (this is how he pronounces Qdoba).

I said, “Usually.” He asked, “Why did you not get soda?”

I replied, “Your Mommy and I are not drinking soda, juice, coffee or any other drink. We have given that up for something called Lent.”

Not content with that answer he continued his line of questioning. “Dad, why are you and Mommy not drinking for Lent?”

So I explained to him what our thoughts were about what has been tagged only water and how many people in our world do not have what we have. I told him that for us to live acting as though those who are less privileged do not exist is wrong. I told him that when we have a lot we have to give people a lot.

He then said, “Why do people not have water?” He had me. I was silent for a time. He said more earnestly, “Dad, why do people not have water?”

So I simply told him that people do not have water because there is an imbalance in our world. That there are people who have a lot and there are those who have literally nothing. I asked him if he knew how much I loved him. He, thankfully, said yes. As I continued I explained to him that there are people in our world who do not love others. Because they do not love others, they do not give. I told him that love is about giving to others. It is not taking. It is giving, risking, and asking for nothing back.

I taught him that Jesus loved people and because he does we should. One way of showing our love for people is to give them things like water. He said, “Dad can I have some juice?” I smiled, reached down and grabbed his bottle of orange juice. I did so thinking there is no way my three year old tracked with my “sermon” about love.

I gave him the juice, and he yelled excitedly, “Thanks Daddy!” I asked, “And why did I give you juice?” He said as he spread his arms out, “Cause you love me thiiiisss much!” He got it. I give not simply because I love him. I give because that is what love is.