Savory

And then what?

That’s the nagging question I’m always fighting with inside my head.  No matter what the situation or what my state of mind or heart is, I wrestle with this nearly constantly.  As if NOW is not enough.

I’m not sure if it’s human nature in general or if it’s in my personal DNA makeup, but I am always looking for the “next thing”.   Always tending to want to jump to the “next chapter”.  Too often I miss the magic of the moment because I’m either anticipating or fearing what lies in wait around the corner.  I think that it’s very closely related to why I run from boredom.  It also probably stems in part from my tendency toward anxiety.

And then what?

Sometimes it’s an eagerness to move forward.  Sometimes it’s a hesitant question waiting for the other shoe to drop.  In either case, it seems to be a lack of contentment.  A restlessness.  A weakness that I need to work on.

I read an article this past week about New Year’s resolutions.  They rarely work – we all know that.  But the author of this article had an idea that I think is very doable.  She chose ONE WORD for the year that was something she wanted to focus on.  Not even necessarily work on.  Just focus on.  It became the lens through which she saw her world, her people and her circumstances.  It changed her perspective, her attitude and ultimately her actions because her view of life became different.  It became less about a particular behavior and more about a heart change that would impact and strengthen her for the rest of her life.

And then what?

I think I want to exchange that phrase for it’s antithesis.  Many words come to mind, but I think I’ll choose SAVOR.  Instead of wanting to skip to the next course of the “meal”, I want to SAVOR each tasty and maybe sometimes not-so-tasty morsel.  To enjoy the full flavor.  To not be so quick to try and spit out the less satisfying bites, but to distinguish their flavor and their purpose. To roll around my tongue the beauty and difficulties and the complexities of life and know that each flavor strengthens my “palette”.  To enjoy both the veggies and the dessert for what each of them offer.

Life goes so quickly, I don’t want to waste a minute of it wishing it away, wanting to jump to the next phase, or fearing what it will bring. I want to SAVOR, knowing that my SAVIOR is the SERVER of every “meal” I am given.  I can trust Him.

And then what?

And then I will begin to rest in each moment as it comes, knowing that He has a purpose for every single one of them and that there is no need to rush to or run from any of them.

And THAT sounds pretty savory…

Matthew 6:27, 33-34 – Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?…But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.