Last year at the end of Thanksgiving dinner, when the pies were finally set out for public consumption, my sister-in-law had this suggestion, “Next year let’s start with the pies and then set out all the other stuff.” Ethan’s (age 7) must have had the same idea this year at Thanksgiving dinner. He definitely had pie on the brain. I happen to know this because of the question he came asking in the middle of that very hectic, last minute, dinner prep panic. I sincerely hope this scenario is not unique to our family: Ethan’s dad (my son-in-law) by default, was slicing up the still flaming hot turkey, the Jell-O was starting to melt and the broccoli and mashed potatoes were getting colder by the minute, the cheese sauce was in need of another round in the microwave, and the gravy was yet to be made. Every child in the house had asked for a roll and every adult had already eaten one. Twenty-four family members waited for the call to prayer!
This was the picture of my kitchen when Ethan wandered through and asked, “Grandma, does the pumpkin pie have to be for dessert?”
“Yes Ethan.” I replied with a laugh.
“Oh Darn!” he said, with notable disappointment, as he ran out of the kitchen.
Now that was a profound question I thought, as I stood stirring the gravy. It represents the question of the ages. It’s one of the most important understandings we can settle on in our mortal minds, and as early as possible. I want the pumpkin pie first too, Ethan. I want to skip to the end of the book without wading through all the details. I want to be at the top of the mountain without the climb. I want to be a concert pianist without all those dreadful hours of practice. I want to speak Spanish without learning it. I want the new baby without the nine-month wait and the hours and hours of labor. I want to “play first, and play later.” I want the college degree without doing research and writing papers and attending lectures and taking tests. I want to recover without doing the 12 Step work that brings recovery.
“Yes, Ethan, the pumpkin pie is for dessert.” It works that way at Grandma Nan’s house. A taste of the yams, a spoonful of the three-bean salad, a bit of cranberry sauce and a dive into the mashed potatoes will have to be experienced before pie time arrives. It works that way in Heavenly Father’s house too. The “pumpkin pie last” principle is hard to accept but it’s really a great blessing. It keeps us moving forward, pressing forward, and looking forward. Part of our Heavenly Father’s plan is to save the best for last.
This principle was impressively operative in the life of His Son, Our Savior Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says “…let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before him, ahead of him; the joy of sitting down at the right hand of His Heavenly Father.
Sometimes I want Eternity without putting in the “time.” We might be able to talk our Grandma into a sliver of this or that before we finish the veggies on the plate, but where God is concerned the best is yet to come. Pumpkin Pie Is For Dessert!
By Nannette W.
Posted Thursday, November 27, 2008
Copyright 2008 by Nannette W. All right reserved.
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