my favorite of both my favorite nephews and sis-mom
my other favorite nephew
I know, weird titile, but let me explain. Everyone has a comfort zone, somewhere they go or something they do that takes all the stress away, that blocks out the worries and stress of the moment. It is a safe place to let their hair down and think and be exactly themselves; messy, silly, whatever they need to be to relax and express themselves.
My comfort zone is sitting at my kitchen table with a bowl of hot chili and warm, sweet cornbread (yes, my southern side has the deepest roots.) I watch the traffic or birds or people out my window and just let myself be in the moment, not 2 hours before when I should have done something differently, or 12 hours ahead when I need to be avoiding my errors and saving the world. Maybe it is the time and care it takes to create the dish, all the different spices and ingredients that go into it, that remind me of God’s work in my life. By themselves, not many of the ingredients of chili are good to eat, neither are those of cornbread when separated out. But, in right measures and with enough heat, and an exact amount of time, they form a richly satisfying and enjoyable meal. God works like this in our lives. It takes all sorts of ingredients to make us into who He has called us to be, and enough heat to mold us into His image. If too much or too little is added, or the preparation and baking is rushed or left too long, it’s not good or plesent to partake of. But His care and timing are perfect for us, creating a rich a beautiful life in us as we walk with and obey Him. Something about the rich aroma and taste of chili and cornbread reminds me to slow down, contemplate, and enjoy all the things God is trying to show me about a day in His love.
I want this to be a nook to examine His goodness, contemplate His actions in us, to question Him about His plan if need be. Slow down and listen, look, taste, and touch God’s moments in our lives, don’t miss the little things He wants to teach us.
