Don't Rush The Process

My youngest turned 11 today.  And though that is hard to believe, it’s even harder knowing my oldest will turn 18 this year.  Looking back, it doesn’t seem that it should be here already and then of course I sound like my parents when I think (time moves so fast).

Not surprising when you think about it…

We live in a world and in an age that has everything available at your fingertips.  We can answer questions, translate languages and research projects from the palm of our hands in a matter of seconds, at any moment, of any day. 

We have expedited shipping, fast food, fast cars, planes and trains that travel over 200mph on the normal and we get irritated when any of those fast avenues are delayed.

Admit it.  How many of us are irritated when the drive thru doesn’t have our order instantaneously at the window when we arrive?  I mean, they have all of 30 seconds to prepare for our arrival.  Not to mention the fact that, if we had to prepare a meal at home it would take no less than 15-20 mins—even if it was packaged as “already cooked”, or up to an hour for uncooked. But that two minutes we must wait for our order puts us in bad mood. 

We are in a hurry in traffic to get someplace, and equally in a hurry to return home.  We complain that our internet is too slow and the sermon is too long. And we have lost our appreciation for time. It takes nine months for a baby to develop in their mother’s womb and up to five years for some trees to bear fruit, but we want everything now.

I’m not certain this is the way God intended it. 

The prettiest flowers take months to grow and bloom.  A well-manicured lawn, the same. But that is after you have taken the time to rid the beds/yard of weeds, stones and bad soil.  Then you till, fertilize and cultivate the existing soil before you plant and water.  This is a slow and hard process, but one that reaps great rewards.

In our candy world, some recipes CANNOT be rushed (believe me I have tried) and in those moment of rushing the process, the candy doesn’t taste the same.  It’s not as pure or flavorful or it doesn’t hold shape, melts in your hand or ends up in the trash.  But when we take our time, follow the recipe and trust the process, it produces amazingly flavorful candy that we love.

There is an appreciation for those things that develop over time.  Think about the aroma of a cherry pie that has been baking in the oven; versus a microwave “cherry” substance from McDonald’s or the freezer section at the grocery store.  The calm of sitting around a campfire with friends or family.  Those days at Grandma’s house helping bake cookies in the kitchen.  Or those nights you stayed up talking with a friend or family member. 

These are the moment’s that matter and don’t last. They are the moments that are not rushed or planned, but are pure, wholesome and simple.  And in looking back, you would give anything to have them back.

So today take a moment to sit, relax and be present with someone.  Turn off the distractions, listen to the quiet and laugh about times past.  Enjoy the time spent now, because it really does go by fast.

Recognize the special moments,

Mike