Maturity
By Bob Hanson
What constitutes maturity? Is it only a function of age? Are there
better indicators?
As a parent of four, and a more seasoned person, I
have discovered accurate indicators of maturity in our children.
#1—Light bulbs. When I cruise around the house, I
often find rooms with light bulbs burning brightly. Naturally I assume there is
a person in that room who is putting that electricity to good use. Many times
that is not the case. Why? Because we have children in the house who, in their
less-than-fully-mature ways, do not think of turning off the light when they
leave the room.
There is also the light bulb in the clothes dryer.
Often I have found that someone has retrieved items from that appliance and
left the door standing open, the light bulb shinning on the remaining clothes.
Is this good use of electricity? Do those clothes need that light so they can
read books. I don’t think so. Leaving the dryer door open shows a
less-than-complete view of life, proving that the perpetrator is immature. I’m
quite sure that electricity-consciousness is an accurate maturity indicator.
#2—Juice. Children are not mature until they like
cranberry juice. At a recent gathering, the host served cranberry juice. We all
savored, appreciatively, the tart liquid. But, we were all mature adults. I
didn’t like cranberry juice when I was young. None of my children like.
Everyone likes orange juice. Everyone likes apple juice. But, to appreciate
cranberry juice one must have lived a significant number of years.
#3—Vegetables. Corn has no detractors. Who doesn’t
like a carrot now and then. But there is a vegetable that separates the mature
form the immature—asparagus. The mere mention of the word brings tasty, tender
stalks to mind. Lightly simmered and served with butter and a dash of
salt—yummy. But, generally speaking, people of fewer years cannot appreciate
this vegetable.
#4—Bread. What adult isn’t attracted to the taste of
sourdough bread. It’s wonderful flavor is only enhanced by a mystery ingredient
that has to be brewed in a warm place, fed and nurtured until it can be divided
and distributed to other bread makers. (Reminds me of a virus) This produces
bread with a unique taste, one that the less-mature taste buds do not usually
crave.
These indicators are not universal. My wife has
always liked sourdough bread.
I once told her, “That only proves what I’ve long
suspected,”
“What?”
“That you’ve always been very mature.”
She liked that.
I suspect God’s list of maturity-indicators is
slightly different than mine. Instead of light bulbs and electrical usage, He’s
looking for the vital spiritual life that comes from knowing the Light of the
World. Instead of cranberries, He looks for the fruit of the Spirit. Instead of
liking asparagus he wishes us to be mature in faith, hope, and love. Instead of
sourdough bread, He’s hoping for Christ-likeness, being like the Bread of Life.
Yes, His list is definitely better.
Bob Hansen writes from Chehalis, Washington. Bhansen6@juno.com