E.V.O.O.

OK, so I am not exactly a good cook. Really that is an understatement! But, there is hope--I have begun watching the Cooking Channel. Although so far it only makes me hungrier than I was to begin with, I have learned a lot that neither my mother nor the Home Economics teacher taught me (If you don't know what Home Economics is, then you are too young!)

One of the things I have learned is that E.V.O.O. is really 'extra virgin olive oil'. Who knew?? I lived my whole childhood watching my mom use Crisco and never even heard of plain old olive oil.

But now E. V.O.O. seems to be used for everything--it must be good for us or else really cool and popular. Cooks on TV don't even pause to tell the viewer what E.V.O.O. is--you are just supposed to know somehow innately! So now I know--I am not a better cook yet, but at least I am learning the language. Now to conquer things like sear and roux.

My reading of the Bible shows lots of stories about oil and I guess some at least must have been E.V.O.O. According to one reference book I checked, Bible folks had two grades of olive oil also--the premier grade for lamps, cosmetics, and ritual offerings and anointings. The lower grade was for cooking. So, OK, now I know that I am really behind the times in knowing my olive oil!

A favorite "oil" story of mine is found in I Kings 17. Elijah is sent by God to a widow in Zarephath to find lodging and food. The widow points out that she and her child are starving--there is only enough flour and oil to make one more small meal before they die. Clearly she is not feeling hospitable. Elijah responds with that much used command in the Bible, "Don't be afraid". He tells her to make the small meal for him first, and then promises that the "jar of flour will not be used up, nor will the jug of oil run dry until the Lord provides"...(in this case through rain to end the famine). Amazingly, the widow complies and after feeding Elijah, finds that indeed her provision is secure --God's promise is true. I don't know exactly how long the dry spell lasted in Zarephath, but the jist of the story is that obedience to God brings provision. God provided for His prophet and the widow He chose to serve.

What does this have to do with my cooking skills or lack thereof? Should I pray to be a better cook? Sure, but it is the widow's willingness to obey and the overflowing jug of oil representing daily provision from God that strike me as most significant. Maybe this widow was so discouraged and worried about what she saw as the impending death of herself and her child that she chose to listen to Elijah. What did she have to lose? Have you ever obeyed God or taken a leap of faith because you had nothing to lose? Would God prefer that we serve and obey out of deep love and devotion and trust in Him? Yes, but does He honor obedience and the taking of chances in our lives? I believe He does.

We don't always 'get it'. Reading the Bible tells us over and over again that things God asked of His people often seem ridiculous and unachieveable to earthly eyes. Neither did God's chosen in Scripture always make wise choices, nor remain sinless--yet He used their lives and loved them and saved them nonetheless. "Amazing love.....that saved a wretch like me...."

Now when I hear E.V.O.O. on the Cooking Channel, I will think of the widow. I will remember her trust and faithfulness and willingness to gamble all to feed God's prophet Elijah first before herself and son. I will remember that she probably was afraid despite the admonishment not to be. I will be reminded that I need that kind of faith and that kind of trust in God's provision. God's economy is not based on the GNP. Unless by GNP we mean "God's Natural Provision" for His children and even the rest as 'the rains falls on the just and unjust'.

God planned our lives before the foundations of the earth and He knows every step of the way. He is in 'large and in charge' as they say. I am glad that I have a little reminder of His love and provision--now if I could just learn to cook! xo

FAIR....?

Parents hear the cry as do teachers and even bosses---"It's not fair!" Usually there is a whine or slightly hysterical tone combined with a raised voice designed to cause cringes and anger in the hearer. "Life isn't fair--who ever said it was?" is the common reply. And we are right to reinforce the idea and teach our children that life is, indeed, not always fair. But should it be?

Ask a politician and he or she will most likely promise fairness to all. The votes of all are necessary to win the honor of leadership in an elected democracy. Popularity is also a key trait among winners. Honesty....not always so much.

Cynical thoughts to open a discussion of 'fairness'--perhaps, but I wonder what God thinks is 'fair'. Was it fair that the Children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt? Was it fair that Jews were subjects of the Romans in the New Testament? What about the impact of war on citizenry? What about college admissions that have to balance out socio-economically as well as academically. Is allowing a woman to 'choose for her own body' fair to her unborn child--the person he or she would be? What if one son wins the basketball tournament and the younger brother is shy and doesn't seem to excel at anything?

So what does God think is fair? Apparently He thinks it is fair for Him to sacrifice His Only Son for our lousey sinful ways. He thinks it is fair to offer someone multiple chances to become His Saved Child. God seems to indicate through His sovereignty that losing that job you really wanted just leaves your calendar open for what He has planned for you instead. Our Father deems it fair to create us and bless us with gifts and human breath and nature and oh so much more.

True, we all aren't thin blonds. That's what I always wanted to be when growing up--especially in high school. We all can't hit a golf ball to target. We all aren't artists. Certainly we all can't sing or dance. And, we all aren't rich--or are we? Looking with Godly eyes at the fairness of our Loving Father God, life seems to be a bit more fair than we thought--if we look at it His way.

Talking to Him regularly and reading His Word are sure fire ways to learn what 'specialness' God has given you. How wonderful His creation truly is. Is there anyplace you would rather be than "engraved on the palms of God's hands"? (Isaiah 49: 16)

Let us seek God and not so much what seems fair in an earthly sense. In knowing Him, you will come to see God's fairness is so much greater than you would ever find on earth! xo