Nooks and Crannies

We had waffles for breakfast this morning!  Usually, I won't eat something like that when I first wake up, but topped with fresh strawberries and Greek yogurt, they really hit the spot!  In our home, our kids just eat frozen whole grain waffles, but when they get to Wayne's Dad's house, he makes waffles that make me speechless.  It takes a full day to prepare the dough for his waffles.  It involves yeast, exact-temperature water, scads of butter...I don't know what all, but they are probably what the angels in Heaven eat regularly.  The reason I can't make them at home is that 1)you have to have a waffle iron that's at least 30 years old, 2)anything at all that takes that much time to prepare really should be done by someone else (and all the moms out there said, "Amen!").  These are so good yet so involved that he usually makes them in large batches and then freezes them in smaller portions for later. 

What makes the waffles even better - if such a thing is possible - is that before we eat them, we put even more butter on top of them and round them out with a steady stream of high quality syrup (and a side of bacon...don't forget that). This is where my compulsive tendencies really come out.  Every bite has to be equal in goodness.  I make sure that each and every square of the waffle gets its fair share of buttery topping.  It's important to me that every bite is perfect.

You know, God is looking for that same desire in our lives.  It is His will that we desire His righteousness in every single nook and cranny of our lives.  We should withhold nothing when we surrender ourselves over to the plan of God.  We should open up all the corners of our heart and invite Him in to saturate our beings with His presence.  If we are doing this, then His righteousness can permeate our lives in a way that is beautiful and evident to others around us. 

The Psalmist said,“I will run in the way of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart. Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.” (Psalm 119:32-35) Following the Word of God in its instruction and correction is the way that we learn righteousness from the start.  But righteousness isn't just about following rules.  It is something that comes from our heart.  We don't obey rules because we are type A and must follow rules, but there is a delight that forms in our hearts when our wills are surrendered to God.  We begin to walk in righteousness because we love Him.  Our actions reflect our relationship with God the Father, and then our lives take on the sweetness of the saturating presence of God.  Just like my waffle, every square of our being can be filled with the goodness of our Lord.

Now that is delicious!

Menu suggestion:  Try our way of eating waffles!  Get whole grain ones, prepare as instructed and top with fresh fruit and Greek yogurt instead of butter and syrup.  It's so good without the guilt!