Before we even arrived the phone calls started. They went something like this, "Grandpa, when are you gonna get here?" Grandpa's response was, "soon". In fact his response was "Soon" for the next 3 or 4 calls. When our grandson left a message on voice mail I decided it might be time for a 'Nonna' return call. After all, how long is 'soon' anyway?

So I called and told him we would be there about 5:00. His mother showed him where the hands would be on the clock when it was time for our arrival. And the watch began. No, it wasn't the watch out the window...it was the watching of the clock. It didn't take long before he complained, "This is taking too long!"

Now I'm sure he was anxious to see us but be aware that he also knew we had a car full of gifts for them. I know he loves us and that he was excited for us to get there but having the gifts with us didn't hurt either. He was after all being exceptionally attentive to us that day. I guess the expression 'he knows which side his bread is buttered on' may apply here.

Have you ever heard that expression? Well, I've also heard it said that it doesn't matter 'which side your bread is buttered on' because you're going to eat both sides. That makes perfect sense to me but how does it apply to us spiritually?

Well, James 1:17 tells us, 'Every good and perfect gift is from above'. So we definitely know that He has gifts for us. That shows His Love for us and that's pretty exciting isn't it? But we are also told multiple times in scripture to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. We should be loving Him regardless of the gifts He brings into our lives. That's the other side of the bread and we should be eating both sides of the bread, don't you think?

When was the last time you just spoke to God because you loved Him? When is the last time you prayed without asking for anything at all? After all, He has already done so much, hasn't He? He gave Himself completely for us already. He spoke of it in Luke 22:19 at the Last Supper. 'Then he took a loaf of bread; and when he had thanked God for it, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me."'

He gave...we remember. It sounds to me like the disciples ate both sides of the bread.