It’s a Smorgasbord Out There!
“Hey—we’re going to the smorgasbord!” Once dad had announced it, we piled into the car after church one Sunday morning in order to drive on over as a family of eight. Living just a block from church had its advantages. One could dash and dine pretty quickly as needed without too much of an ordeal.
Upon arrival at the eatery, overwhelming the choices were. Narrowing it down to what looked good, verses what tasted good, and on to what was good for you were all in the eye of the beholder. Truth is, when young, what is good for you isn’t necessarily on the radar. A scoop of the color laden Jello here, a dab of what looked vaguely familiar there, and a space front and center for what was tried and true. Going back for seconds came naturally after the first go around.
Today, I opened a newsletter from a children’s home called Homes of Life (Hogar de Vida). It is plural, as there are two. One is in Costa Rica, and the other in Guatemala. These have been like second homes to my heart, these faraway spaces where one can grow, listen, toil, and be attentive to His still small voice all in one. Yet, in the smorgasbord of life, as the choices to do this or that came along, I placed upon my plate other items to be digested in a manner of speaking. This committee here, a small group there, a Bible study where one could gain access to not only fellowship, but knowledge and on went the list of things that have kept me from keeping in touch.
Now, as I read the newsletter before me, the gentle words upon the page held my heart once again. “At Hogar de Vida, one of the greatest gifts we offer children is routine. Many come from places where chaos rules their days—where consistency, safety, and care were missing. Without routine, healthy development is stunted. But here, that begins to change. What may seem ordinary to us—repeating the same things each day—is actually laying the foundation for something sacred. This routine becomes fertile ground where seeds of Jesus’ love are planted. In the quiet consistency, hearts begin to open, trust begins to form and transformation begins.”
The author goes on. “And what’s true for the children is true for us. We all need routine to grow spiritually. Meeting with Jesus daily, listening for His voice, walking with Him consistently—this is how roots go deep. It’s in the ordinary rhythms we discover His extraordinary presence.”
As I read, I wondered. Is it time to take a few things off from the plate which the smorgasbord of life offers? Is it time to respond with an updated fiat as did Mary? “Be it done unto me according to Thy Word.” Although I’m not certain what that may look like, today I pray: May the smorgasbord of life narrow. May the distractions fall away one by one to better que up that which You desire to place upon my plate. May each item chosen bring nutrients needed to people and places of which we know nothing of. May my will line up with Thy will. Amen.
You may learn more about Hogar de Vida, Homes of Life, by going to: www.homesoflife. org.
