A Bowl of Oatmeal

When I was a child, I was greeted almost every morning with a bowl of piping hot oatmeal. On the mornings we didn’t have oatmeal, we would have hot 7-grain cereal or cracked wheat. Every morning it was pretty much the same.

I would try to mask the earthiness of my breakfast with our supply of crystallized honey and Almond Nut Milk (which my mom made from scratch every morning at 5:00 AM). I found that if I took some toast (7-grain, of course), slathered it with butter and honey, then scooped up my cereal with it, I could almost stand the taste. I ate it. I didn’t like it, but I ate it.

On occasion, when my mom would head out of town, my dad would get rebellious and buy some junk, cold cereal – Grape Nuts. Ever eaten that stuff? It’s more like fossilized cardboard!

And then it came time to babysit – oh those families were my salvation. Guess what was in their cupboards? Not oatmeal, that was for sure. There were Cheerios, Golden Grahams, Lucky Charms and if I was really lucky, FRUIT LOOPS.

Oh, give me the cold cereal, baby!

There was no turning back for me. I wanted the good stuff. As soon as I was on my own – no more oatmeal, 7-grain or any other earthy substance for breakfast. I wanted SUGAR. And I got it.

So, I am listening to this story tonight by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. When he asked children in a less fortunate family what they wanted for Christmas, the boy replied, "a bowl of oatmeal".

I thought, this poor, hungry little boy wanted OATMEAL?!!!?

It struck home with me. Maybe because I never wanted oatmeal in my life.

We had our share of hard times growing up. I suppose our finances were worse than my parents ever let on… but there was always food. There was always a warm blanket. I always had socks and shoes (albeit very worn sometimes).

Then I think about my kids (who I sneak oatmeal to in their cookies), I ask them what they want for Christmas. I get answers like “my own computer” a "Playstation", a "dog" (NEVER AGAIN) – expensive stuff. Never anything like a “slinky” or a “rubiks cube”, I can’t imagine a child hungry enough and desperate enough to wish for oatmeal on Christmas day.

I am comfortable. My wants and needs are met. Thanks to the Good Grace of God and hours of hard work by my husband I always have food. I always am warm enough. I have the clothes I need. I have little toys and gadgets that keep me occupied. I am very blessed.

So who am I to withhold what I have from those who need? Who am I to not give to His children when He has given me all? If there is someone out there, wishing for a bowl of oatmeal this Christmas, how dare I sit in my comfortable home and do nothing.

I hope, with all my heart that I will find those needing to be comforted. That I will be able to reach out to those in need. That I will have the courage and faith it takes to step forward and say,”let me help you.” I have a lot of work to do to soften my heart, to step outside my comfort zone. It is easy to write about what I need to do to change. But what will I do tomorrow, when I see the elderly man in the wheelchair at Walmart – the one who is always hanging out by the dumpster, looking cold. What will I do?

If the Good Lord shows me who need the figurative bowl of oatmeal… will I choose to act as His Son, our Savior did?

One thing for sure....

I will never look at oatmeal the same.