Ketchup and Mustard, Please
I stretched my hair net over my curls, washed my hands, and put on gloves. As I walked to the serving station, my eyes scanned the room. Raining and storming outside. A couple hundred people inside. People.
- Young.
- Old.
- Black.
- White.
- Down on their luck.
- Homeless.
A booming voice emerged out of the crowd, “Let us pray.” I bowed my head and listened. In my heart, I prayed, “Lord, please multiply this food.”
And so it began.
- Burgers.
- Fries.
- Bread.
- Lettuce.
- Tea.
- And ice cream.
I had the lettuce. It’s the last on the food line, so I get to hand the plate to each person. I love it! It gives me an opportunity to ask how each person is doing, smile, look them in the eyes, and joke with them about getting their veggies.
Someone on my team set out the condiments. Ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, and all the burger fixings.
A middle-aged woman–not more than 5-feet tall–picked up her plate, turned around toward the tables, and stopped.
“Ketchup and mustard?!? That’s rich people stuff.”
She rushed over and piled the condiments onto her plate like a child unattended in a candy store.
I may not be where I want to be in life. I may be facing many hardships.
- Addictions.
- Hurts.
- Illness.
- Financial troubles.
But God has promised never to leave me or to forsake me–whatever my circumstance (Hebrews 13:5). I can take comfort not in the riches of this world, but in the riches of faith, family, friends, food, and yes, ketchup and mustard.
Come alongside…What can you thank God for today? What little things have you overlooked that show how much God has blessed you?
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Discontentment from the daughter of the King?
I compare myself to others. Sometimes, it seems they have it better than I do.
- Better relationships.
- Better connections.
- Better opportunities.
When I get into this funk, I think about it day in and day out.
I have to talk it out and empty myself of my frustrations–whether in my journal or with someone I trust. Eventually, I come back to Truth: God’s plans for me are unique (Jeremiah 29:11). They are unlike the plans He has for anyone else.
It may appear that they have it better, but their better is not necessarily my best. That’s not to say that God won’t give me those things; it means that God doesn’t want me to settle for better now when I can have His best later. When I believe that every good and perfect gift is from Him (James 1:17), my internal satisfaction is independent of my external circumstances. I am content with what I have and where I am now.
God is the King, and I am His daughter. He has plenty to go around. He may choose to bless other sons and daughters now. When I am content, I am blessed now–and later.
Come alongside… In what areas of life do you compare yourself with others? How can you learn to be content with what you have now?