Life & Living: Blue Bell Heaven
I read some great news in the paper today: Blue Bell ice cream is coming to the Bluegrass! In a few days I can run to the market a few blocks from my house and get the most delicious ice cream in the world! Oh, I am quite sure it is. Blue Bell ice cream is made in Texas and so was I! We grew up together, so to speak, and were great friends. Whenever Ruth and I visit family in Houston, we always (yep, pod'na, always) go to the store and...and you guessed it, half gallon upon half gallon, and for us pound upon pound added. But it is so good, who cares?
In the Herald-Leader recently, staff writer Amy Wilson wrote a brief article on "Savor this moment" Blue Bell has arrived." 1 A former Texan, if there is such a thing, Amy extols the virtues of that ice cream with a little girl leading a cow around the bottom of the container. If Alexander the Great had eaten this ice cream he would have been Andy the Tamed, for just to look at this beautiful dessert makes one throw down their weapons and grab a spoon! She does suggest a little Kentucky Bourbon drizzled over the top of their Vanilla would be enough top take the "allure" out of heaven itself. I can't go that far but their Vanilla ain't bad.
I know Amy was writing sociology, not theology. And I do not take exception to what she wrote except for that Bourbon part, even though that is pure Kentucky. But its Sunday and I want to say that heaven is more than ice cream, even Blue Bell with your favorite topping....plus marshmallow...and a cherry. I know what Amy meant and it made me laugh. But somehow it made me think too about heaven as Jesus talked about it, a place where great expectations are met, where joy is the mood of life, where happiness is the status quo, where beauty abounds (so far it could indeed be your favorite flavor, but here's the kicker) and where our relationships are peaceful, with God, with ourselves, and with others. That no ice cream can do because no ice cream was intended to do that.
After writing this reflection, Ruth and I went to the store...and guess what? In a "Sale" section were several freezer shelves full of Blue Bell. Okay, its not heaven, not even close, no point of comparison. Being with the Nazarene cannot be compared with dropping sprinkles on top. Yet, let's see, I picked up a half-gallon each of milk Chocolate, Butter Pecan, and Pecan Pralines n Cream. Yep, it's too good to pass up!
What?
Would Jesus have eaten ice cream?
Are you kidding me? Oh yes, and I do think He would be open to a little "Thank you" for Strawberry or Half and Half.
Jerry Mercer
1Lexington Herald-Leader, Sunday, March 25, 2007, Section H, page 1
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