As a Gen Xer, I remember ours being the first house on our block to get a microwave. My dad lobbied hard for this particular purchase, the only contribution he made to cooking in my parents’ house in nearly fifty years.
I remember him touting the efficiency of this new technology, but my mom, who not only did all the cooking but also worked full time, was disappointed that this giant box caused the food to taste weirdly rubbery. It wasn’t the miracle she was promised. Yes, it cooked faster — but at what cost?
It’s easy to want to trade in the slow simmer of a homemade soup for a microwave lunch or the sacred conversation for a quick text. It’s easy to choose the suburban shortcut instead of the country road. While efficiency has its place, sometimes we miss the deeper joys — like savoring a gorgeous view or a meaningful moment — when we rush ahead.
I was reminded of this recently when we needed a county inspection for some work on our remote property. We live so far out that it takes more than an hour of driving on winding roads through the mountains to get here, something that catches many people by surprise.
Earlier this week, Josh came by to fix work that had previously failed county inspection. From the moment he got out of his truck, he was agitated. “You really live in the middle of absolute nowhere, don’t you?” he said. “I wish you would have told our dispatcher how far out you lived. This is a waste of a day.”
My heart sank. I felt guilty, ashamed — even responsible for his frustration — like I should apologize for where I live, even though their company had been out several times and knew where we lived.
But then Ron, the county inspector, came by to sign off on Josh’s work. He had to make the same drive twice in less than a week — once to fail the work and now to check it again. I immediately apologized. “I’m so sorry you had to come out a second time. I know it’s a long drive.”
Ron’s face broke into a wide grin. “Are you kidding? This is a gorgeous drive. The winding roads, the trees, the mountain views … this is the most beautiful route I get to take. I don’t mind coming out here at all.”
Two men, same road — yet their experiences couldn’t have been more different. Josh looked at the drive as a burden, an inconvenience. Ron saw the exact same trip as an opportunity, a privilege.
As I reflected on their opposite responses, I was struck by how easily we can approach our daily realities in a Josh-like way: focusing on what we “have to do,” or how inconvenienced we are and getting mad when we’re unable to do everything with expediency. But if we switch our thinking — like Ron — something as ordinary as a drive can become a chance to appreciate God’s creation, a moment to linger, to breathe, to see beauty in places others dismiss.
This idea of perspective applies to so many aspects of life — especially when it comes to how we feed ourselves, physically and spiritually. There are days when grabbing a granola bar is the only option; we’re in a hurry, and we just need the fuel. But how often are we forfeiting the deeper nourishment of a slow-cooked meal like soup for the quick fix of whatever is fast and convenient?
Soup requires time and patience. It demands that you simmer the ingredients, allowing the flavors to deepen and the aroma to fill the house. It asks you to linger in the process, trust the heat, and watch as something simple transforms into something comforting and worth the wait. Anticipation grows all day long, and then finally, you feel the gratitude when it is time to eat.
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:11–12 (NIV), “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.” This contentment is less about our circumstances — where we live, what annoyances we face — and more about our posture of heart.
What if we treated life more like a simmering pot of soup — savoring and lingering — rather than forcing it into a granola-bar schedule? What if we chose to see the path in front of us, whatever it may be, as an invitation to linger longer with God, notice His handiwork, and trust He is forming something good within us?
You might be facing frustrating tasks or dealing with people who see the “drive” as a burden. But you have the opportunity to view your circumstances through a lens of gratitude and contentment. You can choose the slow-cooked richness of joy and perseverance over the instant gratification of complaint. Like Ron, we can see the beauty in the winding roads.
Kathi,
I agree with you wholeheartedly! Seeing that joy and the journey sometimes means slowing down whether it’s for a drive or an amazing soup.
Sending you joy,
Lisa Wilt
Thank you, Lisa! It’s amazing how much joy we can find when we slow down and savor the journey—whether on the road or around the table. Sending joy right back to you!
When I was much younger I loved driving on the interstate, but now as a “seasoned” woman I love the local routes. My relationship with Christ is very similar. I want to spend more time studying His life than just reading quick devotionals. Thank you for sharing your interesting prospective. I love it! God’s blessings!
I love that comparison—choosing the deeper, more intentional route in both travel and faith. Thank you for sharing your perspective and blessings to you as well!
Thank you so much for this message. It was just what I needed. My life has been “glass just about empty “ for a while now. I have been unable to see anything positive in it. I know God has a plan for my life. I just can’t see it right now. Thank you for reminding me to have a different point of view!
Myra, I’m so sorry you’re in such a difficult season. I pray you find glimpses of hope and beauty along the way. You are seen, and God is walking with you!
Dear Kathi……..Thank you so much for your story this morning. I do think though that the first man that came to your beautiful house no matter where it is was very unprofessional and if it were me, my feelings would be hurt. Why would you have to tell him what the drive involved? I am sorry that this happened, but the second man was so nice and truly saw the beauty of the drive to your home. My situation is a bit different than yours but still relatable. I am 77 years old and through many sad and heartbreaking things that happened to me, I was forced to see our house where we lived for 40 years and my husband with his dementia and violence ended up in one facility and me in another. We have no kitchens here. Just a refrigerator and a microwave if we had brought one when we moved here. We were old that we would be receiving 3 fresh chef prepared meals every day. As a cook myself for 50 years, I knew how to cook many fresh food. Well, everyone that believed what they told us before we moved in found out in the first 2 weeks that we received not one fresh meal. All was processed food that is bad for everyone no matter what age. All my doctors told me to get out of here. It was like eating fast food for every meal. Most of the food that we receive is cold, the bread is stale and it actually was so stale you couldn’t chew it. A % of our rent goes towards food , but to even use our microwave end up to have us spend $150 per week for extra thing we can do in our room. I know that God has the plan for our lives and I have been trying to slow down and pray more for God’s help. I do not see God’s plan for me, but I trust Him as I know He works on him own timeline and I am just too impatient so I will work on doing as you have suggested and slow down. So many people think that because we are old, we don’t have anything else to do, That is not true. In my 45 years of working I had so much to do, but as you get older, you have very different problems to deal with that you never even thought of when you were in your 30’s and 40’s. Thant you Kathi for your words of wisdom. I wish you a very blessed rest of the week and weekend. Here where I live, it is supposed to be close to 70 degrees which has rarely ever happened. Love to you Kathi…………..Betsy
Betsy, I am so sorry for the challenges you are facing. I hear your heart, and I pray that you find comfort, nourishment, and the support you need in this season. Thank you for sharing your story with me—it means so much.
I start my daily prayer time with gratitude and thankfulness for all His blessings to me, but contentment is very hard when I’m in a season of depression and anxiety as I am now. I am 78 and also have a debilitating back condition. I have been very healthy and strong all my life, but have suffered much loss for the past 2 years. If anyone reads this I would be so grateful for your prayers
(am praying, Donna. I’m sorry you’re in such a long rough patch and hope God gives you a sight of God With You as well as relief!)
Thank you for lifting up Donna in prayer! It’s such a gift to see this community encouraging one another in faith and love.
Dearest Sovereign Lord surround Donna with Your tangible presence. Be the Comforter of the Downtrodden. Not just the pat on the back & it’s gonna be okay but the presence next to her that provides strength & endurance through the trials of life. Send her local heavenly siblings to encourage her practically on every level. In the name, power, authority & affection of Jesus I pray. Amen. (((0)))
Amen, Ruth! Your prayer is such a beautiful reminder of God’s care for us through His people. Thank you for your heart for others!
Donna, I am lifting you up in prayer. I know contentment can feel so far away in hard seasons, but I pray you feel God’s comfort and presence with you today and always.
this is great, makes me remember our motorcycle trips thru the Smokies, love those times. loved hearing from you Gwen hope all is well with you all, you’re always in my prayers & thoughts. say hi to Pastor Tom for me, love you guys so much. Sandra
this is great, makes me remember our motorcycle trips thru the Smokies, love those times. loved hearing from you Gwen hope all is well with you all, you’re always in my prayers & thoughts. say hi to Pastor Tom for me, love you guys so much. Sandra
Sandra, what a beautiful memory! There’s something so special about taking the scenic route and soaking in the beauty along the way. Thank you for sharing!
Excellent point about the two perspectives! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Rachel! It’s amazing how much our perspective can shape our experiences. I appreciate you reading and sharing your thoughts!
A beautiful and timely word to my heart. Thank you.
So glad it came at the right time Lee Ann!