Smarter Than the Average Bear

When my youngest son and daughter were small, they loved Yogi Bear and his foolish antics. He was always getting into trouble, but his friends still loved him. The kids’ favourite line from every one of the Yogi cartoons was when he was being described as “smarter than the average bear.” When either of them would do something exceptional, I would use that same line-you’re smarter than the average bear. I now hear them use the line with their own children!

So Paul’s words really made me think. We humans think we are so smart-CEOs, politicians, authors, plumbers, professors, entrepreneurs, reporters, clerks, doctors, lawyers, bus drivers, musicians, chefs, even pastors?and the list goes on. Apparently we actually aren’t “smarter than the average bear.” Paul writes that the world, even though we sometimes express our wisdom, isn’t wise enough to really know God. But how much do we really need to know? That God loves us and sent the Son to die for us. That God forgives us. That God lifts us up. That God is always there, in tears, laughter, love, prayer. We know this to be true, and that makes us “smarter than the average bear”!

Oh God, forgive our foolishness and our weakness. Just love us! Amen. — BG