April Fool's Day
Happy April Fools Day from Every Square Inch!
Every year I attempt to think of a funny April Fool's joke to play on someone. Some years I am successful at thinking of something to do and other times I just let the day slide by without pulling any pranks or jokes on anyone. Even when I do think of a prank to pull it is seen at best as not very funny and at worst a cruel and inhumane thing to do.
My two most famous April Fool's jokes were played on my mother. My mother is a very excitable individual so it is often times very easy to obtain a reaction to unexpected news. So it was on both of these occasions.
The first of the occasions occurred in 2001. I had been dating a girl since high school and when April Fool's day came around, my father and I plotted to play a joke on my mother. We began by getting our story straight and then making the telephone call. I called home from college mid-day on April Fool's day. My mother answered.
Mom: Hello
Brian: Hey, Mom! I got some big news for you.
Mom: What is it? Did you do well on a test?
Brian: No, that isn't the news. I am engaged!
Mom: Really? When did this happen?
Brian: This morning.
Mom: Umm. Did you think about this? When is the wedding date?
Brian: Well, we haven't set a date yet. I had given it a lot of thought.
Mom: Ok. Have you told your father?
Brian: No. You are the first one I have told.
Mom: Well... That's great news. I gotta go. I will talk to you soon.
As my mother hangs up, my dad e-mails me. I send him an e-mail back telling him that I have sold it. She is believing it. Just as I e-mail he e-mails back saying she called him. He acts surprised but acts serious and she is convinced that it is the real deal. Just as my mom is about to hang up she tells my dad that she will have to call everyone and tell them the good news.
This is when my dad and I agree that it has gone far enough. He e-mails and tells me to call her immediately and announce the April Fool's joke. It was a big surprise to her and she was amazed that we pulled it off.
What is the point of this story about April Fool's? Often we take things lightly and fool or joke with one another. This is fine when it comes some things but I know of one thing that is definitely not an April Fool's joke: Christ's Kingdom! Jesus, through his death and resurrection, has entered triumphally as King. He reigns, sovereign, over all the earth and we hail him as King.
When it comes to hailing Jesus as King, there is no fooling around. I may act like the Court Jester in other matters but when I am in the true King's court I am the humble servant. As we think about or maybe partake in April Fool's day, may we remember who the true King is and our role not as fools but rather worshippers and servants of the King.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Brian
Founder, Every Square Inch