Craig Clouston

 Marshmallows

May 30

… while we wait …

Titus 2:13

The Sunday school teacher placed one marshmallow in front of each of her ten

students. “Please wait to eat your marshmallow until I say it’s all right. Once

I give you permission, you are free to eat it. I must leave the room. If you wait

to eat your marshmallow until I return, I will give you a second marshmallow.

If you choose to eat it before I return, you will not receive a second one.” With

that, she left the room.

Six of the children immediately grabbed and ate their marshmallow.

Three children sat patiently, hands in their laps, watching their peers enjoy

the tasty treat.

As time passed, the wait showed on one little boy. Just as he grabbed his

marshmallow, the teacher opened the door! The boy slowly placed it back on

the table.

The teacher acknowledged the four children’s restraint. “You didn’t give in

to a desire to eat your marshmallow.” Placing a second marshmallow in front

of them, she continued, “Here is your reward for waiting.”

She then announced, “I must leave again. If both marshmallows are

uneaten when I return, I will give you two more.” The kids who had eaten their

marshmallow were visibly disappointed. “For those who ate their marshmal-

low, if you will remain seated and silent until I return, I will give you one more

marshmallow.” With consequences versus reward fresh in their minds, the six

remained quietly in their seats.

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The temptation to eat our marshmallows is great. Without hesitation, many of

us devour them without a second thought. The hope within the promise isn’t

tangible enough to discipline our desires. But once we witness the reward of

self-discipline, we gain new perspective, one that gives us hope.

“While we wait” is not a passive proclamation. It is an action-filled oppor-

tunity to bring ourselves under the control of Someone else in the hope of

being rewarded with a life more like Christ’s, full of love, joy, and peace.

Watching someone else do it gives us hope. Our struggle gets easier as we

experience the reward.

Prayer

“The temptation is great, Lord. I can’t do this

on my own, I need Your help. Teach me to wait

on Your reward. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”