Ode to a task oriented girl
I've been thinking lately at my own tendancies to focus on the task. I love people but often (here's a look into my callous heart) they slow me down! I know, I'm harsh. I'm not very Christ-like in this way. God has a relational heart and He often sacrifices efficiency for intimacy. Examples are all over the Bible of Him choosing to go the slow route - like through Moses or the disciples.
Imagine the scenario played out between a parent and a child. You need to bake cookies and you have 2 choices. Either kick the kids out of the kitchen because they'll make a mess and come out an hour later with the most delictable cookies baked to perfection. OR invite the kids into the process. This involves flour all over the kitchen, too much brown sugar and too little vanilla, and it takes a half hour longer. But in the process you have built relationship and a memory. The value of the cookies doesn't lie in their perfection because that will quickly disappear but their value is in the shared experience.
Shared experiences build intimacy and relationships are not just built with face-to-face time (eg.going out for coffee so we can talk) but through side-by-side time through significant moments and experiences.
I am challenged as I think of God's relational heart to invite friends, families, those I disciple into experiences with me and instead of valuing efficiency, placing a higher value on intimacy. I need to slow down anyways....
Imagine the scenario played out between a parent and a child. You need to bake cookies and you have 2 choices. Either kick the kids out of the kitchen because they'll make a mess and come out an hour later with the most delictable cookies baked to perfection. OR invite the kids into the process. This involves flour all over the kitchen, too much brown sugar and too little vanilla, and it takes a half hour longer. But in the process you have built relationship and a memory. The value of the cookies doesn't lie in their perfection because that will quickly disappear but their value is in the shared experience.
Shared experiences build intimacy and relationships are not just built with face-to-face time (eg.going out for coffee so we can talk) but through side-by-side time through significant moments and experiences.
I am challenged as I think of God's relational heart to invite friends, families, those I disciple into experiences with me and instead of valuing efficiency, placing a higher value on intimacy. I need to slow down anyways....
posted by janette at 5:18 p.m.
3 Comments:
I'm delighted that you have real postings up on your blog J!!
I am a relational gal... and need to not forget about and/or sacrifice the task!
Hey... where should I be flying into for vaca?
p.s. I had my Sunday school girls (grades one and two) over to bake cookies yesterday... I invited them into my already "Martha Stewart Lay out" process (all ingredients were measured beforehand in different bowls). Brown sugar is still everywhere...
i can definitely sympathize with you J on this one.
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