The Creek Cooler

Camping as a family was always a wonderful vacation. Four siblings, their wives and children gathered for a time of play, rest, and fun and good food. Their favorite place was Alley Spring. Camping on the spring branch was natural air conditioning during the hot summer days. The cool air lifted off the 36 degree water and kept them comfortable--even during the heat of the day. At night, it brought a chill to the air that made the campfire practical for warmth and long conversations.

The stream also provided natural cooling for the watermelon they always brought. Creating a rock dam in the creek just wasn't secure enough, so wrapping the watermelon in rope, then tying the rope to a nearby tree insured that the melon would be cold and tasty when ready to be consumed. With such a large gathering, melons were always in the creek cooling.

One particular summer, the melons kept getting out of their rope confines-or the rope chewed off by pesky muskrats. Several melons were lost. Not one to be thwarted by the elements, the next time they gathered to camp "Uncle Ray" was ready. He had created a metal cage that the melons could be put in and the cage then tied by a short chain to a stake on the bank. Problem solved! The chain couldn't be chewed through and the cage wouldn't slip loose.

Filling their creek cooler with melons, the family went on about their business. Each night the melon would be brought up from the creek and consumed. Then the creek cooler would be filled with another offering for the next day. One particular melon was so big that it filled the cooler all by itself. They wanted to make sure it had plenty of time to get icy cold and left it all night and the next day.

The anticipation was great. Its size, color, and "thump" spoke of an incredible melon. The kids all wanted to eat it as soon as they got back to camp from swimming in the nearby river, but the adults made them wait. Anticipation built. Finally, after supper, they brought the cooler out of the creek, removed the melon and with great flourish began cutting slices of the rich, red, sweet fruit.

Everyone wanted a piece of the "heart" of the melon--the sweetest part. Eagerly lining up, they cut the melon open to expose the tender, red, ripe flesh of the melon . . . it was gone! Turning and spiting the melon open lengthwise a tiny hole was found! A muskrat had swum under the creek cooler, eaten through the rind and consumed the heart of the melon--leaving the rest behind! Their treat had been stolen from under their very noses!

Not one to give up easily, the next year the creek cooler returned. This time the welded wire was lined with fine screening like a window screen. The watermelon set out to cool and the treat anticipated yet again. When hauled in from the creek, the wire mesh was broken. The sharp teeth of the muskrat had broken through the screen and the watermelon was ruined--again.

However, Uncle Ray had one more trick up his sleeve. Making a trip into town with the "cooler" in tow, he returned with metal hardware cloth welded inside and outside the frame. The get to the melons this time, the pesky muskrat would have to chew through several layers of metal. Loading up the cooler once again, the melons were set to cool. When brought in hours later, there were signs of muskrat play, but the multiple layers had done their job. The melon was cold . . . and whole, ready to be enjoyed by the families.

Sometimes that is how sin is in our lives. We think we have a barrier to protect the tenderness of our hearts, yet somehow our defenses are gotten through and we fail. With renewed determination we put more barriers--strong will power--in place and though it may take long, again our defenses fail. Then we find ourselves lining our lives, but still trying to keep things light and open, but over time find our efforts breached once again.

It is only when we add layers and layers to the structure of our lives that when one defense fails, another holds and we thwart our enemy. In our lives with God, we need the depth of layers--the personal relationship, prayer, meditation, spending time learning with God, reading God's word, fellow-shipping with other believers, and worshiping together that we find the balance so that if one area slips the others are there to protect and balance us. Our spiritual lives are not just a solo act. We depend upon God, and other believers to grow and strengthen our resolve to follow the ways of God.

God, show us your ways. Lead us in your paths. Protect us from our own weaknesses. Layer your love and grace in our lives so that sin cannot creep in and rob us of the sweetest part of life--our relationship with you. So be it. Amen.