Candy Dish Games

April 23, 2020

Bonnie and I are trying to stay healthy while we are quarantined. We’re eating plenty of fruit and veggies, drinking a lot of water, and taking our vitamins. It looks like we need a little push, though, to cut down on our visits to the candy dish.

Each of us wants to help the other be good. But not by a set of rules. We decided it would be a lot more fun to make a game of it. It’s very simple to play. When one of us hears the clinking of the candy dish lid, we lovingly call out, “I heard that.”

I haven’t noticed any reduction yet in candy consumption, but I have seen an uptick in creativity.

Here is an example. One time when I heard Bonnie making friends with the candy dish, I took my cue to say “Heard that.” She came back with, “I just wanted to know where you are.” Maybe rather than sugar, what she really wants is to stay close to me.

I tried not to be outdone. Later that day when I got busted for a visit to the dish, I defended myself with, “I just wanted to hear your sweet voice.” I gave myself an extra Milky Way for that one.

Not all of my responses have been as romantic, though. In fact, I notice as this game goes on I am starting to get sneaky. There was the time I told Bonnie I was making sure there was enough candy for her. Or worse, when I said I was just filling the dish, and filled my pocket at the same time. And a couple days ago I sank lower than low. I said I was just putting the lid on straight because the last person hadn’t.

The other day I did some dish-diving before Bonnie got up. Later that morning I got in again, pretending it was the first of the day. But I can’t fool a chocolate expert like my wife. She said not only had she “heard that,” but that she’d heard the earlier one too. I’m not sure she’s playing fair.

Recently Bonnie made a trip to the grocery. I usually go with her, but our store began limiting the number of shoppers at one time. As she drove away, I waved through the window. This was my chance! I raced to the bowl, ready for an accountability-free early morning treat. What Bonnie didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. I would make up for it with a couple extra carrots later.

Wow! I discovered peanut M&M’s! I grabbed a few, and since there was no one there to hear it, I rattled the lid an extra time or two when I replaced it. It’s hard to eat just a few pieces, though, so I doubled back, this time for a handful.

Though I walked away from the dish with a happy mouth, I had a sense that something else was going on. Then I heard a voice—almost, but not quite, audible. It sounded friendly and seemed like it had a smile behind it. Had Bonnie returned for something she forgot? No, I didn’t see her anywhere. Then I knew it had to be God saying, “I heard that.”

It’s cool to know God is playing our game too. I always knew He had a sense of humor.