“On Wednesdays we wear pink”- an infamous quite from the early 2000’s film, Mean Girls. For me it’s “On Tuesdays we go to Trader Joe’s”…unless I am in deep longing for the long lines that sometimes wrap the aisles of the store twice, (yes, twice!) on Sundays and Monday’s. There I was, post gym work out, 12 item grocery list in hand, walking the comfortably crowded aisles of Trader Joe’s, walking right over to grab these chicken soup dumplings that I love and think may be a little bit magical. Just a little bit.
I discovered these gems while living in Buffalo, NY, and my roommate promised they were a cure all. Stomach troubles- chicken soup dumplings. Flu like funk- chicken soup dumplings. Cold, long day, ready for a long week back home- chicken soup dumplings. Too tired to make lunch for work- chicken soup dumplings. In fact, ever since I found out about these, I’ve mad e a habit of keeping at least 1 box in my freezer at all times. I was out and ready to restock. The only problem I had as I strolled up to the freezer shelf that kept these bundles of deliciousness was the last two boxes were definitely out of my reach. I could see them, grateful they weren’t all gone, but there was nothing I could do to get the goods from shelf to cart.
I scanned the aisle for a taller person. I’d take anyone. Younger, older, non gender binary identifying or gender binary identifying, bald, or locks down their back, etc.- just considerably taller than me and with longer arms. I caught the eye of an employee, smiled politely as she walked over with a spring in her step, and shared that I was grateful she came to assist, but that I needed someone taller (she was shorter than me). She laughed, agreed, and called over her colleague. He was perfect. Easily 6 feet tall and long arms. He asked what he could do. I explained, he nodded, laughed, reached back, retrieved the goods, and I was happily on to the next item on my list- cheese.
Grace helps us reach what we don’t think we can. We see it, we want it, it’s good for us, we just can’t access it alone. Grace knows this. Grace knows there are times in our lives when we are too short to get what has been preserved for us. So grace does what it does best- it steps in, ready, willing, and able to assist.
Grace will open our eyes to see who else is around to help. It will give us voice to say “No thank you, ” to those who intend to help but aren’t quite what we need- they’re just as short as we are (or shorter). It will give us wisdom to listen to those who may not be able to assist directly but can connect us to someone who can. Grace will help us stay focused and not settle. Oh there were other items fully stocked and in reach. In fact, there were chicken dumplings. But I was there for the chicken soup dumplings.
A few weeks ago I shared on social media that we are all freely given gifts. And we are, emphasis on we, so that means you and me. Whether you believe in God and this whole grace thing or not, we have all been given gifts, talents, unique abilities. We get to choose how we use those gifts. We get to choose how we perfect those gifts. We get to choose if we let Grace do it’s work in us, carefully and steadily helping us unpack the depths of those gifts. We get to choose if we will settle or grit it out, if we will ask for help, if we will prudently discern who is in our life to assist us, because we cannot fully live into our calling alone. Lo siento amigas. Our gifts weren’t given to us to keep to ourselves or maybe share them when we feel up to it. We’re supposed to share them and use them. We’re supposed to be willing to reach where others can’t, or to call to those on behalf of another who can’t.
My hope for you as this year draws to a close and another is a few hours away is that you stay focused and when you need help to access what you’re focused on, what’s yours for the taking, that you don’t strategize how to go for it alone, but that you seek, ask, and trust that Grace will absolutely help you find (Matthew 7:7-8, Jeremiah 29:13). Happy New Year!
With Love,
Grit + Grace