The Real Deal

Let me say right off the bat, this post may fall under the category of Too Much Information for some of you... too bad, there is a point.

Jack is 3 months old and I am nursing him, nearly exclusively except for those few times I'm not around. (Exit now if you can't handle this topic.)

I am having a very hard time convincing him that taking a bottle every now and then is okay. He'll kick and fuss and feverishly throw his head from side to side when I try to put the bottle in his tiny mouth. He pushes it out of his mouth with his tongue and I'm tellin' ya, you can't get anything by that little tongue! If he takes a few drinks, he acts like it's the worst thing around and coughs then spits...and cries some more. Generally I put the bottle down, and try to soothe him by walking around and talking nice to him. He'll settle down but always gives me the look as if to say, "You know that's the not the real deal. Why do you want me to have something counterfeit?" When I give up and nurse him, he immediately calms down and snuggles into me. His heart rate slows and his whole body relaxes. He holds my hand and sometimes stops to smile "mid-meal." When he's finished, he is satisfied and happy again.

I wish I was more like Jack in my spiritual walk. How often have I settled for something that may be "good" but not the real deal?! How often have I read a good [albeit spiritual] book instead of sitting down with God's word? I want to be satisfied only with Jesus, not some other god I've created for myself. I love the feeling of peace after I've been with Him.

Today, go be like Jack - settle for nothing less than the real deal with Jesus.

(Mom, I promise he WILL be able to take a bottle when you keep him overnight later this month!!)