Who is Dave?

So Eunkyung is not familiar with American/European nursery rhymes and songs.  She is mostly learning them from our children.  But it’s kind of like you hear a song on the radio, and you like it enough to sing it out loud, but also are not too familiar with lyrics, so you either make it up, or assume that you know the lyrics.  That is like Eunkyung and the song Baa Baa Black sheep.
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Yesterday, out of nowhere, she asked me who is Dave?  So, I asked her I have no idea what she is referring too and, I need some context to her question.  She started to sing, “Baa Baa Black Sheep have you any wool?  Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full.  One for the master, one for the Dave, one for the little boy who lives down the lane.”  Wait, what?  Dave?  So, then she asked,” Why Dave?  And who is this, Dave?”  So, I corrected her and said, that it doesn’t say “Dave.”  It’s actually, “dame.”  And proceeded to explain what “a dame” means.  Regardless, we concluded we like “the Dave” better.  So, in our household, Dave, whoever you are, “Baa Baa Black Sheep” is for you!

But my point in writing this, is how much we may assume what either people are saying or thinking, without asking any questions.  That could get us in real, unnecessary trouble.  Also, how often we assume what is said in the Bible, that is not really true at all!  For example, I was asked by someone where does, “Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die” is found in the Bible.  I told them, that it’s not in the Bible.  They looked at me like I was an alien.  They explained to me that they have always been told that it is in the Bible and that they were pretty sure that they saw it in the Bible when they were younger.  But I told them that it’s not in the Bible, but it is in the Mormon Bible (I think). 

Often, we assume certain things about situations in life, faith, and what we think might be in the Bible.  Another often quote we hear that we assume comes from the Bible, or at least has its origin in the Bible, is quoted, “This too shall pass.”  Not in the Bible at all, as a matter of fact this quote isn’t even Christian at all!  It comes from a Muslim poem, I believe.  Or another quote, “money is the root of all evil.”  Well, it’s sort of in the Bible, but we are missing a very important word.  In the Bible, it is “the love for money is the root of all evil.”  That is saying, money isn’t evil, but if our obsession and love for it becomes a replacement for joy, God, and family, well that’s not good at all!  Or for example, in the story of Adam and Eve, we often mistaken that Adam and Eve took a bite from an apple.  But there is no apple mentioned in the Bible.  It’s just some unspecified fruit.  But we want to assume apple because that is more common and relatable to us. 

So, next time you assume something that may be in the Bible, think about, research it, study it!  You may be misquoting.  Also never assume what your friends, family, and peers are saying or thinking.  Listen carefully and if you are confused ask questions to help give you any clarifications.  As for now, I will re-teach my children, “Baa Baa Black Sheep” and declare, that Dave be part of the song!

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