This past weekend, I went to Anna’s to celebrate her 30th birthday and Sutton’s 5th. We were exhausted from Saturday, and you know how hot it has been. So, Sunday, we did nothing. I never do nothing, but when you are at Anna’s, you don’t have a choice. We spent the day outside with the kids, took naps, watched a movie, visited, and rested.
Having a day like that reminded me of a podcast I listened to several weeks ago. It was on an Annie F. Downs “That Sounds Fun” episode. Annie said, “We live in a microwave world, but at times we need to get out the crock pot.”
Annie went on to discuss the differences between a microwave and a crockpot.
The microwave is efficient. It gets things done when we need them. Microwaves reheat leftovers, make popcorn, and cook food within 1 to 10 minutes. However, when we cook with the microwave, the food doesn’t have time to sit and marinate. The flavor doesn’t have time to get to its finest. We can’t test taste and see what spice or ingredient we are missing. When we think about learning how to cook, it takes a minute to determine which seasoning spice or herb to use in a specific dish. It takes time and effort to perfect a recipe that tastes just right.
In our society today, we are living like microwaves. We throw things together, push the buttons, and have what we need in very little time. We don’t take the time to let things marinate. We don’t even take time to think. We live in a get things done, just like the microwave.
Think of things like Amazon. We used to have to wait days for an order to arrive now it can be here within 24 hours. The world is moving faster and faster every day. It seems like yesterday was the last day of school for the summer, and now we are preparing to go back.
As I was driving back from Anna’s, I thought to myself, ‘Sunday, we were crockpots.’ We took the day to sit and simmer. To marinate and take in all the beauty around us. We weren’t rushed, and we added the spices and ingredients as needed.
I found something that Paul Daugherty said:
We are a microwave generation serving a crockpot God. We say, ‘God, can I please have my harvest now?’ And God says this is going to be a crockpot season. I am going to prepare you for what I have ahead of you. If you step into it too quickly, you won’t have the character to sustain yourself where I am taking you. It will be slow and painful. What you will see is others building faster, and you will become discouraged. But close the blinds and focus on what I am doing with you.
Isn’t that the truth? God wants us to step back, give Him control of the time it will take to marinate, fully absorb what He has for us, and let the best flavor emerge over time.
Bob Goff has the best quote:
I keep putting things in the microwave, and God keeps putting them back in the crockpot. Whatever is distracting you today, give it a little more time.
I’m not sure about you, but I want to live like a crockpot. Taking time to take in all the details of this life that God has gifted me with.
This week, take a moment to remind yourself to be a crockpot. Slow down, enjoy what God gives us every day the sunrise the sunset and everything in-between.
Read about those in the Bible that took their time and had patience. https://thirst.sg/5-people-in-the-bible-who-teach-us-patience/
And we need to:
1.Show up for JESUS – Start your day in the Word.
2. Show up for OTHERS – Serve others, whether they are like you or not, whether they annoy you or are difficult to understand. That is what Jesus did; He showed up for everyone.
3. Show up for YOU – You need to fill your cup before you can help fill others’ cups.
WE WILL FIND JOY WHEN WE SHOW UP FOR JESUS, OTHERS, AND OURSELVES.
As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”
Have a great week, Cupcake loves you.
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