Short Order Cook

I will never forget, as a young mother, a little comment that changed a direction in my life, in serving my children. We had out of town guest and hospitality was a new adventure for me. Breakfast was in the process of being served, and I was asking each of my children, and my guest...how they wanted their eggs to be cooked. My visiting guest said with a smile, “So, you are a short order cook?” My response, on the inside, was “No, I'm a mom who is making something that could be simple...harder!” :-)


Sometimes, we get into patterns of doing things that add to us, and take away from our children. I started just serving them, all the same thing...and they had the opportunity to learn to not have preferences. 

They were learning how

 to receive and be thankful,

 instead of expect and be served.

Its taken time, but some of the most important lessons in my own life, have not always come in what I served, but what I did, with what was served. 

There have been times when I looked at my Heavenly Father as my “Short Order Cook”...and my heart was revealed when what was served, was not what I wanted. 

The beauty of time, 

and His long suffering with me, 

showed self at its very core...

I wanted cake, but no spinach.

If our children learn this pattern of life from us, they will grow up despising the very things that will give the greatest strength to them.

Above pictured,  is me holding Benjamin / 1994



A Plate of Experiences

“I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you.” Jer. 29:11


Last night during family devotions, I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables, and some Oreo cookies. “Every day,” I explained, “God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?”


The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren't they? Some days are “three-cookie days.” Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables---twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn't it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all...


The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did.


Taken from Grace Moments; Max Lacado