It was traditional that the Lennon wives were great cooks. Somehow through the combination of great taste in women, divine intervention, and a loving mother-in-law, they all turned out to be terrific cooks. The men would brag it was great taste in women. And now it was time for the newest Lennon wife to host her first Christmas meal for the family. The passing of the torch if you will. There would be four generations present, and almost 30 people to feed. And the thought of it positively scared the newest Mrs. Lennon. But as was also traditional, the mother-in-law (MIL) would teach her and help her with the meal. With a great deal of relief, but still some trepidation, MIL agreed to arrive a few days earlier to tutor and assist.
First was to make sure she had the right pots and pans, and lacking them, MIL took her out to buy them, MIL told her they were a late wedding gift, or an early Christmas present, they both smiled about it. Then on to the market to buy all the food. There would be buttery mashed potatoes, candied yams, oyster filling, a special cranberry relish, sweet corn, green bean casseroles, and potato biscuits. But the highlight of the meal was always Granny's pot roast. A tradition passed down to her daughter, Grandma, to her daughter, MIL, and now to the newest Mrs. Lennon. A special recipe for a special meal. Four generations of Lennon wives to impress, not to mention the men who were anxiously waiting. Maybe it wasn't fair to be tested on Christmas, but the rewards would be worth it. Let the cooking begin!
So after prepping all the veggies, and making the rolls, it was time to cook the meat. Carefully seasoning it, MIL grabbed the sharpest knife and cut an inch off both ends. When Mrs. L asked why, MIL explained that was the way she was taught. And into the oven it went. The house smelled intoxicating that day, stretching the hours until it was done, and when the meal was over, no one was hungry. Seconds and thirds had assured Mrs. L that there would be no leftovers, and all praised her for her continuing the tradition. Her husband could not have been prouder. MIL and her exchanged a special smile.
As the men sat and watched an old Christmas movie, the four generations of women gathered around Granny in the kitchen. Praising her for her famous pot roast recipe, she smiled. It was then that MIL asked Grandma why she cut the ends off the meat. "Because that was how I was taught." Who then turned to Granny and asked her why. Finally, the generational cooking secret was to be revealed. A secret that no one but Granny knew, and until the latest Mrs. L inquired, no one had asked. With the type of smile that only years of keeping a secret can bring, she chuckled. And soon was laughing.
That was the way her mother had taught her! Fearing that the secret would end there, and finding out a fifth generation Lennon wife was involved, they asked her to continue. "The roaster my mother had was small. So to get the meat to fit in it, she had to cut part of it off to make it fit." I always thought it was part of the recipe myself, until she commented on my larger cooker one day that now she wouldn't have to trim the meat to fit. But being tradition, we still do!" The secret was out, that being that there was no secret. The pot was too small! Or the meat too big. A secret that will have to wait until the next Mrs. Lennon asked, and the legacy passed on. But for now, these four women would have the last laugh, and the tradition of Lennon women being great cooks would be honored. All due to the size of the pot. And the secret was still safe!
Traditions have their place in society. And among families during the holidays. But should not be the guiding inspiration when it comes to God. So often we keep God in a box, or pot, and when He doesn't fit, cut off parts that we don't understand, or think we need.
We neglect faith, trusting our jobs to provide. We remove love, when someone wrongs us. We don't fellowship, for all the others in church are hypocrites anyway. We follow the teachings of a denomination, rather than seek God. Hey, it worked for my ancestors, why change now? And they would be wrong-it's time to let God out of the box!
We neglect faith, trusting our jobs to provide. We remove love, when someone wrongs us. We don't fellowship, for all the others in church are hypocrites anyway. We follow the teachings of a denomination, rather than seek God. Hey, it worked for my ancestors, why change now? And they would be wrong-it's time to let God out of the box!
Trust God! Let Him guide your life. Blessings abound for those who do. He provides despite your income or job situation. He forgives us, showing us how we should forgive others. He shows us truth, and exposes incorrect traditional teachings for what they are. And He gives us Jesus-so that we can be reunited with Him. And not just for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. He shows us love every day.
Maybe today is the time to bury the tradition, and let Jesus out of the box. Embrace Him in every part of your life-don't keep Him a secret. Let Him be Lord, and with the love of the Holy Spirit start a new tradition-one that should be passed on. TRUST GOD!
For four generations Granny kept the secret. Jesus is no secret. Once you know Him you just have to share Him. So start a new tradition, or continue the one of Jesus in your family today. And the tradition of thanking Him for the meal-remember feeding the 5000? Thirty can seem like 5000 when preparing. Include Him in your recipe. Always enough, and always some left over. For later.
But for now, trust God. And enjoy the meal He prepares before you. Pass it on to the next generation. Some traditions just can't be kept in a box. Something about Jesus and a tomb, I seem to remember, that couldn't hold Him. If a tomb can't hold Him, no box will either!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com