I grew tired of the children's near constant complaints about whatever Melissa's makes for dinner, so this evening, it was time for a home evening they would never forget. Forget "starving children in Africa", pssh, that's weak. Cast aside "it will make you big and strong", those are sissy little girly-man reasons. Say hello to "It could be worse".

Crickets.
11 Cents a piece at your local Petsmart for the "large" (1-knuckle sized) variety. I gassed the little buggers with cotton balls dipped in rubbing alcohol, fired up the trusty charcoal grill, and began with a song and a prayer.
We placed the crickets on the table, then talked about how Zacharias sent John the Baptist and his mother to live in the wilderness when the soldiers of Herod came to kill the children. We talked about how Zacharias died at the hands of the soldiers between the altar and the porch of the temple protecting the location of his son. I taught about John living on locusts and wild honey. We then pointed out that things our children have to eat could be worse, so we were going to see what it would be like not having poptarts, mac & cheese, pizza, and spaghetti.
#2 piped in, "I want the biggest one!" and then picked it up, smiled, and pounded it.


#1 gave me the "Are you serious?" look, then ate it also. "Dad, it tastes like chicken tacos! Crunchy"

Melissa and I looked at each other and ate ours at the same time. The bible dictionary states that they taste like shrimp, Melissa agrees. I thought #1 was more accurate with her tastebuds.

#2 blurted, "Yea! Crunchy
and yummy. Can I have some more?"
I begrugingly replied, "No."
#1: "You forgot to say 'please'".
#2: "Can I please have some more?"
Sure, kick me while my lesson is down. The only people who won't be complaining about the meals are Melissa and I. But we weren't complaining in the first place. Oh well, another failed attempt at teaching in the home.
But then again, no one complained about dinner...