Where’s Gary?

The boys that grew up next door have provided some of my favorite stories. When they were younger, they got a fish. The older one named him Gary. When asked why he named him Gary, he stated the obvious, “He looks like a Gary.”

When precious Gary passed, the parents wanted to handle it in just the right way. They waited for the question the empty bowl would bring, “Where’s Gary?” If memory serves me right, weeks went by and the question didn’t come. They walked right by the bowl like always, assuming Gary was where he should be; unaware that he was not.

It presented an important spiritual analogy. How many times have thankfulness, joy, truth, or any number of other precious things Christ has afforded us been lacking in our hearts, and we don’t even notice? We walk around and talk of them as if all is as it should be, but there is loss and sometimes we are not even noticing.

It’s why our still time with the Lord in His Word and prayer is so important. Only He knows what’s lacking, what needs to be addressed, or what must be removed in “the bowls of our hearts.” Let’s ask Him to examine our hearts, so we don’t keep operating as if we’re full, when vital things are lacking.

Lord, keep us full to bless others and enjoy every bit of the Kingdom treasure You purchased for us on the cross. Keep our hearts filled with You.

“Prove me, O LORD, and try me;

test my heart and my mind.”

PSalm 26:2