Many of us live our dayslike we’re competing on Iron Chef.
We wake up, pretty much knowing the tools at our disposal
and the task at hand
but each morning we’re handed a surprise ingredient by the universe
and we’re forced to work it into every dish of the day.
We race against the clock,
preparing offerings for others,
food we won’t consume ourselves,
or take time to appreciate in any way
because they’re judging us on our skill, speed, originality,
creativity, presentation, and flavor.
What we produce
must measure up
or we lose.
After one frenzied dash to the serving table
we gasp as we cross the finish line,
drawing the covers up over that day’s round,
collapsing from the strain
knowing tomorrow we will meet a new opponent
and begin the race again.
I think that God is not this way.
I think that God
is not an iron chef.
In fact, I believe He is more
like Julia Childs
awkward sounding and larger than life but
relaxed in the kitchen of our every day,
exhorting us to have the courage of our convictions
as we face the matters at hand, the ingredients on our cutting board.
He models for us how to imbibe, to inhale, to inspire as we luxuriate in the pliable texture
of the dough, the snap of the bean, the pang of the onion, the golden simmer of the tea.
He pleads with us to fully experience the taste, the tang, the sweet, the sour, the salt,
the savor of each pinch of seasoning,
every sprig of garnish,
each dash of our own secret ingredient.
And if our main dish falls to the floor
He shakes His head and reminds us with a reassuring laugh
of the five-second rule.
Then He helps us scoop our day back onto the serving platter
and we sit to feast on it together,
family style, in the middle of the messy kitchen,
as we share stories and a leisurely dessert
the He provides.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 Bon appetit!
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The Conversation
Ok, I love this. I can hear the chairman saying, “Today… your pants will rip! Allez Cuisine!” Seriously, I agree… we all need to slow down, trust Him each step of the way and just watch how He makes our paths straight. Thanks, Lori!
So great Lori! I needed this today, thank you.
Susie
Lori, this just made my day — thank you!
Your post put me in mind of a phrase I’ve heard. I don’t know the exact wording, but it’s along the lines of ‘what we want to microwave, God desires to slow cook.’
God’s grace & peace to you,
Pam M.
I needed this like MAD. Thank you so much for the timely reminder. Also, this. “…awkward sounding and larger than life but relaxed in the kitchen of our every day…”
Absolute poetry. I needed (and did not expect from “a short, short post for the stressed”) a lyrical elixir. The rhythm and truth in your words–the way you expressed them today–Beauty.