I posted this cartoon yesterday. The optimist sees the glass half full; the pessimist sees the glass half empty… ‘Are you a glass-half-full or a glass-half-empty person?’ implies there are no other options.
Sometimes having only two options is entirely appropriate. ‘Do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?’ Requesting a third option may be interesting or humorous, but really there are only two answers.
Many other questions aren’t quite so straightforward. Will you buy an orange or an apple? Can I choose both? Or neither? And what about bananas?
Perhaps the glass is the wrong size…
We’re used to the third option here in Lowestoft. For many years the town, divided in two by Lake Lothing, has had two bridges. Our third crossing is finally nearing completion…
I was shocked to see this picture of me yesterday… My dimensions have changed, my weight’s been redistributed. I look older. The nurse said it’s my ‘changing metabolism’! The usual two alternatives are ‘do something about it’ – exercise, diet… or ‘learn to live with it’ – grow old gracefully (or disgracefully).
Perhaps there’s a third option that may involve changing the focus, being grateful for what I have, concentrating on my character and contentment, not my food and figure…
I’ve heard the story of ‘The Prodigal Son’ many times. The younger son’s selfish, wasteful, irresponsible, disgrace-full; he returns home broken and humbled but welcomed, forgiven, reconciled… The older son’s reliable, dependable, hard-working; he feels taken for-granted self-righteous, resentful, angry…
I’ve been asked, ‘Which son do you identify with?’ Two options. Sometimes I’ve identified with the younger son, sometimes with the older.
Henri Nouwen’s ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’ gives me a third option – Identify with the father. Take responsibility. Act grown-up. Be proactive, compassionate, forgiving, generous, joyful… Nouwen asks: ‘Can I let the younger and the elder son grow in me to the maturity of the compassionate father?’
I’m musing on this third option.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Prodigal son is such an amazing parable. I remember David Minton preaching on it years back. I’ve always found the ‘non prodigal’ son the most interesting. Maybe I should investigate why that is……
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David minions words to me will always ring true, he used to visit me in hospital and his parting words were always one day kim u will flourish if not in this life then the next but even though ur body may not effect this I know my soul does. I even have flourish in gold with the sign of the fish stuck on my car to remember David by. Another man of faith who supported me through tough times. I miss him but I’m glad god gave me malcolm as my support an confidante when I need checking and supporting as a very dear friend…
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David was a lovely man with huge influence, Kim. He often talked about flourishing (and the opposite – perishing) He didn’t just talk about it – he was great at helping all he came into contact with to flourish.
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I remember that too, Gail. Until reading Nouwen’s book I hadn’t been so challenged to identify with and aspire to be like the father… that sons grow up to be fathers…
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Here is another option for you: the glass is refillable!
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Or we could just drink what is there and be grateful! You’re right, Dana. Once you say there are other possibilities it opens up many other options!
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Such a hitting home musing today… we all age and I think u are doing it incredibly gracefully! The more of u there is the more of u there is to love, and also in older age we need more of us to protect us when illness strikes, god has us moulded in his hands he takes care of us where we are and loves us no matter what our physical position this I’m slowly learning. Learning how to accept the body I’m not happy with the skin I don’t feel comfortable in is still mine and still me inside. And god knows that. It’s the heart that matters and Malcolm ur heart is huge! Ur love is great and ur acts of love generosity understanding and kindness Ben greater.. I’m grateful to have u as my friend as u r however u r!p.s. I will always try to fatten u up so when I cuddle u ur nice and comfy against my old bones! I love eating ur musings a day late always and at the end of my day to give me thoughts to go to bed with. Thanku for sharing ur faith journey with us all…x
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It’s always good to hear your perspective on weight, size and appearance, Kim. Your journey through anorexia needs to be put alongside commonly held views… and how that fits in with our faith.
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My ponderings as well on the third option. I kind of like that category.
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Thanks, Gary. It certainly seems a good place to be. Life isn’t as straightforward as we would like it to be, or as some folks would make out.
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