Tip of My Iceberg

People never cease to amaze me when it comes to favorite combinations. Pairings always have a personality that reflects two different perspectives–whether it’s friends, fun, or food.

But pickles and pancakes?

While visiting our family in Pennsylvania, we had the chance to recreate combinations that had been apart for too long. Cousins enjoyed cousins, even though they don’t have the opportunity to see each other that often. Family is a framework that can be effective in making connections.

One morning, our son’s father-in-law made breakfast for all of us–chocolate chip pancakes, mouth-watering and delicious. The kids ate them up quickly–pancakes are made nearly perfect by adding chocolate.

But Mack wasn’t satisfied with just the sweetness of his flapjacks. He insisted on having pickles with it. His papa got out the jar of pickles, looked him in the eye, and said, “You better eat these fast because your mom isn’t going to appreciate this.”

Unusual pairings have been used as a source of humor for years. Comedy often combines a straight man with a funny man to get the biggest laugh. Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were a comedy duo back in the mid-1930s; Costello, the funny guy, bounced his crazy humor off the more reserved Abbott. Jerry Seinfeld, the neurotic, sarcastic straight man to his friends, George, Kramer, and Elaine, all with a variety of quirks and bizarre antics, brought laughter to millions with their funny focus on nothing in particular.

Odd pairings don’t always work. Prince Charles and Princess Diana might have had a storybook beginning but it soured quickly. Many actors and actresses marry in elaborate weddings only to have the relationship crumble after a short period.

Interestingly, anytime I find myself paired with others, it can be odd. Everyone is different, and on any given day, how I show up can be complicated for someone else.

Even my family.

Odd combinations are part of life. We won’t ever be exactly who or what someone else needs, but we can choose at the moment to be kind. We may be having a bad day, but we don’t have to rain on anyone else’s parade.

One of my favorite kid books right now is “The Pout-Pout Fish” written by Deborah Diesen. It’s about a fish with a perpetual pout who “spreads his dreary wearies all over the place.”

I can be the pout-pout fish.

We can all be the pout-pout fish.

I’ve been that person who’s spread dreary wearies to others just because I feel like it. That kind of attitude doesn’t pair well with anyone. It’s not just odd–it’s disruptive.

We are, however, all unique and wonderful in who we are. God has created each of us in His image, and He has done so with delight.

“I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wondrously made. Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.” Psalm 139:14

We will have our bad days–all of us can be sour as pickles. But we each have incredible moments where we shine the way we were intended to, sweetened with the joy of the Lord.

We’re all pickles and pancakes at some time. Who knew?