Uniformity Is a Means of Grace

Santa Claus got a little too personal with Christy's stocking a few weeks ago. An avid coffee drinker, she enjoys her Keurig coffee maker very much. Well, evidently Santa has a bit of an environmentalist streak: instead of a box of 18 plastic cups, she was given a reusable pod (not this exact one, but you get the idea) and a bag of coffee. Since then both of us have tried to make the perfect cup of coffee for Christy-- I've never been much of a coffee drinker-- with mostly disappointing results. Yesterday the pre-made pods returned home-- the prodigal consumer product's triumphant return. There were smiles of joy everywhere.


I saw this on Facebook the other day and had a little chuckle. I offer it without further comment.


Predictability is a means of grace for some; for others, variety is key. Take cologne, for example. I never wear the same kind twice. Christy would be more than happy to enjoy the same stuff every day, forever. I could see myself as a fan of leasing a car-- getting something new every few years. Christy will drive our Honda minivan into the ground. Our differences make us stronger, as a couple and as individuals. I enjoy all of her quirks that make her into the person she is.

Just this morning I shared this with our new member class here at Custer Road:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses (1 Corinthians 12:4-11).

So we each have our own gifts and talents, passions and interests. Even preferences. And if they come pre-packaged and uniform, all the better-- life can be unpredictable on its own! May we celebrate the unique gifts each of us has. Especially when coffee is involved!

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