After the dinner, though, the mother notices that the brussels sprouts remain untouched. “I thought you liked brussels sprouts,” the mother asked.
“I do,” answered the girl. “But not enough to actually eat them.”
We Christians like a lot of things – peace, love, harmony. But often not enough to actually do something about them.
My Commentary:
This simple story carries a sharp and honest truth: there is a difference between liking something and living it.
The young girl isn’t lying. She does like brussels sprouts — in theory. She approves of them. She has no objection to them. But when the moment comes to actually eat them, to act on what she claims, she stops short. Her “liking” never becomes a choice.
And that is where the reflection gently turns toward us.
We often say we value peace, love, forgiveness, and compassion. We admire them. We speak about them. We even feel drawn to them. But when those values require something concrete — effort, sacrifice, humility — we hesitate. We like them… but not enough to “eat them.”
Consider a simple example. A person says they believe in forgiveness. They truly admire it. But when a family member hurts them deeply, they hold onto the resentment. They replay the offense. They justify the distance. Forgiveness remains an idea they like — but not a reality they live.
That is the gap this story exposes: the distance between belief and action.
From a Christian perspective, faith is never meant to remain theoretical. Jesus does not say, “Blessed are those who admire love,” but those who practice it. Not those who appreciate mercy, but those who show it. The Gospel is not something we agree with — it is something we do. And doing is harder.
It means loving when it is inconvenient. Forgiving when it is undeserved. Seeking peace when it costs us something. It means taking what we claim to value and allowing it to shape our decisions, our words, and our lives.
The little girl’s honesty is almost refreshing. She admits the truth: I like them — but not enough. The real question for us is whether we are willing to admit the same — and then take the next step.
Because in the end, the world is not changed by what we say we like.
It is changed by what we are willing to live.
When do YOU find yourself loving someone even when it is inconvenient or difficult?
I WISH I COULD GIVE GOD A HUG AND THANK GOD FOR ALL GOD’S DONE FOR ME!
Do you have a hard time watching the News? I do! Most people do. That is why I wrote WHAT MAKES AMERICA AMERICA. From beginning to end it is a very positive book.
I have 62 short Chapters that look at every aspect of life in America, from Baseball to Affordability. Here is the link https://a.co/d/00Lyqe1C that will connect you with my Amazon page. Click READ SAMPLE and you can read the First Two Chapters of the book for FREE.
