Whistle-Walks – Anne Adams
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)
Many years ago, when we toured a large restored Colonial-era plantation home, as we entered the family dining room our guide explained how the meals were served. “At dinnertime,” she told us, “the servants would carry the food from the kitchen located in a small nearby building – and as they did, they were instructed to whistle as they walked along. This was to prevent them from sampling the food, and these short paths were called ‘whistle-walks’.”
Since servants could obviously sample the food in the kitchen, historians remain skeptical of the story, but if it were true it seems to indicate the family certainly didn’t want to share their best.
That’s certainly not how God operates! In our passage, Jesus explained that God’s love for his creation was so great the Almighty creator/designer of the universe shared his best — his son Jesus Christ — to enable people to share the divine presence. No restrictions and available to all!
Indeed, a timeless reality, but unfortunately there may be some who do not choose to accept the gift. Perhaps they don’t believe it’s really free, or maybe they think that God providing his best just isn’t logical. That’s sad because when we accept God’s best and put our faith in the Son, we can share in the great love that inspired the original gift — given without restrictions by a God who withholds nothing good from his children…
And He’s waiting for you.
Anne is a retired church staffer living in Texas. She writes an historical column for the local paper, has published one book, and has written for Christian and secular publications. Contact
