I was telling Sandra yesterday about one of my most miserable days as a child.  Our family had been vacationing in San Diego for about a week.  We had gone to Sea World,  The Zoo, Tijuana, the beach.  But on this particular Sunday, after worship, we had reservations for lunch at the Hotel Del Coronado.  Afterward the plan was to browse among the high priced shops on Coronado Island.  Already you can tell how pleased a boy of about 14 years would be about a day such as this.  Now add to my condition that my sister was required to wear a fancy dress, and I (like my father) a suit and tie.  Did I mention that children could be seen playing on the beach from the place where we were having such a great time shopping?  By the way, every teenager that passed my way also took time to remark, “Nice suit!”  Sounds awful doesn’t it? 

I want you to know that I was never one to hide my feelings with my parents.  I told them about my displeasure.  Then I spent the rest of the day making sure by my actions that they did not forget that I was unhappy with the day’s agenda.  I also recruited my sister into the “anti-formal” campaign.  Despite my efforts, my mother did her best to enjoy herself at Coronado Island.    

It’s been nearly forty years now, and as I was telling the story to Sandra an awful dread came over me.  It was a simple truth that I simply had conditioned myself to ignore.  A fancy dinner on Coronado Island was the one thing that my mother wanted to do in San Diego.  All week, she had done what the rest of us had wanted to do, and was happy (Not because of the activity, but because she had us).  It was within her power to ruin the whole week by saying “I hate the Zoo,” or “There’s nothing fun to do in Sea World” or “Nobody likes Tijuana.”  Our enjoyment was increased by her enjoyment.  Then Sunday came and we were going to do the only thing that she really wanted to do in San Diego.  Then I did my best to make life miserable.  SOUNDS AWFUL DOESN’T IT? 

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.” (Philippians 2: 3).  Paul said that this described the mind that was in Christ.  It also describes the mind that is in my mom.  I hope now that 40 years later, it can describe the mind that is in me. 

Mom,  

It’s been 40 years coming, but I’m sorry.