Tip of My Iceberg

We were having a crowd of family over for an early Father’s Day dinner. Ham, which is never a summer meal, was what I’d chosen–the guys all loved it. But the kids weren’t into ham on a hot day–or any day. So I opted for a pot full of macaroni and cheese to satisfy the small ones.

Being summer and many littles running in and out of the house meant the doors were open and inviting flies by the droves inside the house.

I can’t stand flies. Especially in the kitchen.

I’ve proven myself to be ineffective when it comes to swatting them. I continually miss; maybe it’s a kindness thing.

My daughter, Tiffany, however, has spot-on marksmanship when it comes to demolishing the little fellas.

The fly happened to be over the pot of noodles as they boiled.

What might not have been fully dead became that way when the fly hit the boiling water.

Dinner, however, was being served. The littles were all hungry, and there was no time–or noodles–to do this again.

Assuming the boiling water did the trick and nothing evil lived in the noodles, we finished them up and served them.

I did rinse the noodles several times to make sure any fly goo was gone.

I’m not proud of myself, but days after the incident there have been no signs of weird disease or upset stomachs of any who ate the mac and cheese.

It made me realize how much I tend to cut corners in life. Sometimes taking the easy road seems preferable to not finishing.

Is it?

We see more of that in the world today. Gallup just put out a report that pointed out the high number of people who are called “quiet quitters” who don’t like their jobs and get by with as little as they can. They’re minimally productive and disengaged from those around them. They cut corners because they aren’t happy with what they’re doing but aren’t motivated enough to find another job.

We’re all quiet quitters in some areas of life, not wanting to do something that has to be done, not engaging whole-heartedly in what we do, not caring that it’s not our best efforts.

When Israel was heading toward the Promised Land, they were confronted with armies much larger and stronger than theirs was. Moses reminded them:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. for the Lord your God will personallyt go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Too often fear keeps us from moving forward, taking the risks we need to get our lives on the right track. We become complacent and settle for less.

There are times, too, when we lack the strength and fortitude to finish well. Or we lose hope and just don’t care. We need to adjust our mindset to consider how to complete a task well even if we don’t enjoy it.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

God gives courage and heart lavishly to live life well, even as it challenges us with difficulties and sameness.

Don’t assume giving up or giving in is an option.

That’s just a fly in the ointment of our lives.