When it comes to games, I am not a good player. I lose more times than I win, and I can’t remember the last time I won.
A week before April Fools’ Day, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage asked me a rather silly question. “When was the last time you had an Apple Fritter?”
I was very suspicious of this question because I’m not allowed to bring them into our house, at least if she knows about it.
Being old has a great deal of benefits to it so I told her, “Oh, my dear. I can’t remember eating an Apple Fritter lately.”
Looking at me rather strangely and with some air of unbelief, she said, “I was just thinking that maybe this April Fools’ Day would be a good time for you to have an Apple Fritter.”
“Well, it would be very nice.”
With a twinkle in her eye that I couldn’t explain, she said, “How would you feel if I got you an Apple Fritter for April Fools’ Day?”
With a pleasant smile, I replied, “I would feel very good about an Apple Fritter on April Fools’ Day.”
At the time, I did not know she was setting me up. I didn’t think she could do that to me and I would not notice it. After all, I’m the one who tries to prank her every chance I get.
With a smile like I’ve never seen before, she replied, “Maybe I’ll do that for you for April Fools’ Day.” With a laugh, she turned around and walked away.
During Easter dinner, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said something rather strange. I pretended not to hear, but she said something to our oldest daughter, “What do you think about having an Apple Fritter on April Fools’ Day?”
Like a good husband, I pretended not to hear and just looked the other way.
Several times she mentioned the word “Apple Fritter.” There was no substance to what she was talking about; she just mentioned the word. I knew there was no chance of her getting me an Apple Fritter for April Fools’ Day. I knew she was trying to play with my expectations.
The more I thought about it, the more I began to think that maybe, just maybe, she wanted me not to believe she was going to give me an Apple Fritter and then, at the last moment, surprise me and give me an Apple Fritter.
That breakfast on April Fools’ Day, she brought me a little box, and on the top of the box, it said, “This is your Apple Fritter for April Fools’ Day.”
I must say I was a little surprised when she handed me that little box. I smiled, opened the lid, and saw written at the bottom of the box was, “April Fool.”
Sometimes what you do to others comes back on you. I was reading my bible and came across this verse. “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31).
That got me thinking about some of my actions. Would I want others to do to me what I sometimes do to them? Maybe I should begin doing good to people and see how that works. I think I’ll start with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.
Rev. James L. Snyder
Ocala, Fla.
Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, Fla. where he lives with his wife. Call him at (352) 216-3025 or email jamessnyder2@att.net. His website is www.jamessnyderministries.com.