The Parable of the Fermented OJ Bottle

Happy Friday Sparkle Day...
I know it has been awhile, however, that is because it is summertime and who doesn't love summer vacation! I am like a kid again... thinking up explorations with my children, molding their creative little minds. It was funny when they were younger. You would sit down to color with them and then you could notice how their little drawings would mimic many things you had drawn. And it still happens even as they grow! So Fun! Anyways, this week I had a little experience. Many times I look at these experiences that I have and draw so many parallels in life.

This one I like to call The Parable of the Fermented OJ Bottle

About a week ago Christian was at a friend's birthday party. I fed the rest of the kids before picking him up and brought Christian his dinner in the car to eat on the way down to visit with my family. I quickly threw some orange juice into a leftover water bottle from soccer camp for his drink.¹ A few days later I noticed a water bottle still filled with orange juice rolling around the van. Our new van. I guess Christian didn't receive that part of his mobile meal. "Yes, I really should take care of that," I thought to myself. But no, I did not. A few more times the orange cylinder of liquid would roll into view and then back out of my mind. Then it happened, but not when I was in the car. To Paul's not-so-much joy it exploded underneath the heat and fermentation process. Yes, in our new van. Paul cleaned it up as best as he could where he was at, but the smell. Yes, the smell! A few more times of attempted clean up. I got out the spot carpet cleaner and it has helped. The children thought of putting some little air freshener cubes that my mom just bought in the car to help. It is slowly dissipating, but behind the nostrils there is still a bit of a sour whiff when the air circulates just right.

So, how does this apply to life other than the knowledge gained in the citric fermentation process?

We are human. We aren't perfect. But because of the light of Christ or "light of life" or by man's conscience we know our weaknesses. Because of this we know right from wrong. Many times we act impulsive and then we kick ourselves in the patootie afterwards. But we do have agency and we can choose not to react or act or whatever needs be. Maybe we have some little indulgences. Some can be big and the effects are quite apparent, but many seem harmless with consequences coming to light in a longer time frame. Whatever IT might be, if IT is not of God IT is not of God. In Alma 5: 40 we read:  "For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil." Therefore we can conclude IT to be evil, slowly fermenting our souls and affecting the lives of those that are most dear to us. They can smell the stink too! And then by the natural law of things when exposed to heat and pressure it must explode. Hopefully we catch ourselves and can change IT. When IT surfaces and "rolls into view" do we take care of IT by disposing of the orange juice bottle or do we put it off for a later, more convenient time? I would suggest we don't. Really, fermented orange juice isn't worth it!

Love,
Candace

¹ A little summer sanity tip that I started for myself a couple years back... I usually buy one pack of water bottles for the summer. I don't buy Capri Suns or other disposable drinks very often because a) they cost too much, b) they get drunk up way too quickly, c) they're disposable impact, and d) water is better for them anyways. Now you may see the discrepancy with the "disposable" water bottles. When I buy a big pack of water bottles each child gets only one and we write their name on it. Then they are responsible to keep bringing it back so we can continually refill it with water. This is nice when there is a month of soccer camp or before a long trip because they don't carelessly leave it or trash it. Example: For the month of June there were possibly 14 days of soccer camp (okay we didn't go to all of them) multiply that by 4 children desiring H2O refreshment and that could have easily been 56 water bottles. We got away with 12. That includes one for Paul and I and the picnics and jaunts to the park we go on. This is also helpful for just everyday purposes because then I am not washing tons of cups (4 kids x how many drinks they can drink in a day :)).