Tip of My Iceberg

I’ve discovered I’m a bandwagon kind of a gal.

Not a sheep, mind you. But if something comes along that sounds good and is helpful, well, why not?

Through the years I’ve attached my wagon to a variety of newfangled fads that promise to help me stay or get healthy. I’ve gone from putting yogurt into everything to using tofu with a lavishness that my husband and kids despised. I’ve gone the supplement route, healthy smoothies (whoever said green is good had to have a bit of bovine in them), going gluten-free, even though I have no issues. All in the name of staying healthy.

My latest “find” is coconut oil. It’s great to cook with, a wonderful face wash, and a great exchange for those needing to avoid dairy. (Which would not be me.)

My kids tease me about the different things I use it for. Or circumstances where I suggest it might come in handy. To the point where, when the question is asked, “What should I do for…?”, someone shouts, “Coconut oil!”

I fail to see the humor in this. It is a useful product to have on hand.

So imagine my utter amusement to find that my daughter, Heather, wanting to make her hair softer, looked at Pinterest and found coconut oil was a nifty trick. Apply it like conditioner after you wash your hair.

Which she did. Only to discover that it’s a dickens of a thing to get out of hair. Rather like coating your tresses with motor oil.

She looked a tad bit like the greaser chicks in the movie, “Grease”.

It took some extra shampoo and a little elbow grease (pun thoroughly intended) to degrease her hair. But it did feel softer. Eventually.

It’s so easy to join the happy train with those whose testimonials for a product promise the stars. The problem is that we never really settle on what stars we want.

I’m always chasing that next thing that will make my life easier, better, more efficient, healthier. Promises from products that make me look better, sleep better, feel better, work better.

Why do I fall for those things that promise they will improve my life? Only to be disappointed?

I’m looking for the quick fix. It’s the American way.

When the apostle Paul was suffering from some unnamed malady, he begged the Lord to take it away. He wanted the quick fix. The relief. No more pain.

“Each time He said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’”   2 Corinthians 12:9

Not a formula. Not a product. Not something we can do or apply or put on or consume. What we all need is grace. God giving us the forgiveness and love we can never earn on our own through the One who took all our darkness on Himself. We get the riches of God at the expense of Christ’s death.

It’s a relationship with the God of the universe who sees me and knows me. And has chosen to love me.

It’s remarkable how much more is in that relationship than in coconut oil.