Crock-pot Catastrophe: A metaphor for life

Today I woke up with purposeful optimism. I prayed and believed that the answers I needed would come from God today during worship service. I got up, showered, cleaned up around the house, fixed breakfast, and decided to check on the progress of Sunday's meal. I had high hopes for a new chicken recipe idea (chicken with pecans and a peach glaze) which I had placed in the slow cooker the night before. My nose was greeted with delicious aroma as soon as I awoke. Consequently, my taste buds were excited and anxiously awaiting a real dinner treat. As I opened the lid, brimming over with culinary anticipation and delight, I discovered a crack in the stoneware liner. A fatal flaw as it were. Nearly all the juices had leaked out of the crock pot and had formed a nice little puddle underneath. There was no juicy glaze, only scorched pecans, and a sticky hard mess left in the bottom of the pot. The chicken itself was salvageable, but no tasty glaze or beautiful presentation was to come of this dish. I was disappointed. But because the chicken is still good, I can repurpose the meat - add some rice, cheese and broccoli for a casserole.

With a little time to spare before morning service, I began to search the internet for replacement parts. I typed in the maker, the model number, keywords, anything I could think of to find a replacement stoneware liner. I went to the manufacturer's site, who seems to have outsourced, AND the store site where I purchased the item a little over a year ago, just to name a few. Although I could find the product itself, replacement parts were impossible to find.

So, what's the metaphor? God can take the messes we've created of our lives and create something delicious and wonderful. Out of our burned, scorched, messed up lives, He can create beautiful, appetizing, complete and satisfied people. He repurposes our experiences so that the negative we've endured becomes our positive testimony.

Don't get stuck on what didn't happen the way we planned it. Focus on what good can happen. Chicken, rice, and broccoli casserole still makes a great family meal! It may not be what I intended, but it will still completely nourish, fill and satisfy the needs of my family.

When there is a product defect, God doesn't outsource. I can always contact my maker directly. His Word says, "I will supply all your needs, according to my riches in glory." His customer service department operates 24/7. I will never be placed on hold, get lost in the automated system, or be told to call back during normal business hours. My model will never become obsolete because He knows the plans He has for you and I - plans of good and not evil. Our parts are always in stock. When my patience is broken, he has a fresh supply. I thank God that His mercies are new every morning!

So what happens when you have the best of intentions and things still don't turn out right? Proverbs says, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding." The scripture also says, "All things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose."

Just because your crock pot is cracked, doesn't mean your meal has to be ruined. Allow God to repurpose your experiences and feast on the victory!