I’m not a big fan of change. I like to be in control. Unless things change because I change them, it takes me out of my comfort zone. I get it honestly. My mom struggles with the same thing. We like things a certain way and when life gets shuffled around, we can get a little cranky.
photo credit: brianc (creative commons)
Mom loves peanut butter, but not just any type of peanut butter. It has to be Jif Creamy Peanut Butter. Since I was a little girl I don’t remember any other type being in our pantry. You know the Visa slogan, “Don’t leave home without it.” That applies to my mom and her Jif peanut butter. If she’s going on a trip, it’s on her must-have list. After all, choosy mom’s choose Jif, right?
I used to be the same way. Jif was the only way because it’s pretty much all I knew. During my year-long discipleship program at the Table Rock Freedom Center, that changed. If I wanted to eat peanut butter I was going to use whatever they had and that was that. It didn’t take me long to adjust and the types varied. Sometimes it was Peter Pan. Other times it was an off brand. I quickly realized I didn’t care what type of peanut butter I was putting in my oatmeal, as long as there was peanut butter. Don’t snarl your nose at the oatmeal and peanut butter thing until you’ve tried it. Delicious!
Recently, I was making celery and peanut butter for an event. I purchased the off brand because it was cheaper. I bought more than I needed, so I put the half-full jar back in the pantry, right next to the Jif. Last week I decided I wanted some oatmeal and peanut butter, so as the oatmeal cooked in the microwave, I reached for the staple item. When I opened the jar I noticed there was quite a bit missing. I looked over at my mom sitting on the couch, back at the peanut butter, and back at her. There was no way this woman had touched that peanut butter. It was impossible.
I scanned the pantry looking for the Jif. There wasn’t any. I finally had to ask. I held up the off brand jar and asked, “Have you been eating the peanut butter?” “Yes,” she said. “I thought I would try it and decided not to buy any Jif.”
Once I picked my tongue up off the floor, I couldn’t help but smile. In the 28 years I’ve known my mother, there has never been another type of peanut butter in the picture. To you this may be a simple story, but to me it’s huge. It means growth. She put her fear of change aside and did something different.
Growth doesn’t always happen in the big things; it starts in the small things.
Being afraid of change is detrimental to our growth. We can’t grow in our faith without change. We can’t grow in our relationship without it. We can’t grow in our jobs without it. We have to be willing to let go of our need to be in control and allow change to happen. We won’t always like it. Sometimes it will hurt. But it’s necessary.
What small step do you need to take today to let go of your need to be in control and avoid change? Leave a comment below…
You so make me chuckle my sweet daughter. I remember this happening. Still eating it. Had me a peanut butter (generic brand) and jelly sandwich today. Love your writing.
And now I’m craving peanut butter and celery.
Control has always been an issue for me. It’s one of my biggest struggles with God because control has been my defense mechanism against people who have hurt me. It became insane how much I felt the need to control even the little things. It’s still a struggle but I’ve gotten better as God’s worked on me.
Struggle for me too. I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be.
I tend to like control myself. In the past few years God has been breaking me of this habit. I’m better than I was, but I know I still have room to let go and let God have control!
We all do. So glad you’re allowing Him to grow you TC.
Peanut butter and oatmeal?! wow. But if your mum got over jif, maybe my nose will straighten up someday soon…lol.
I haven’t learned to yield perfectly, it’s still such a journey! But i have made some great progress, certainly not where i once was- then it was my way or high migraine. 🙂 Now am okay with not running life.
You gotta try it. It’s delicious. We’re all on a journey. But the glory is in the struggle 🙂
I hear ya, Sundi Jo. I have major control issues. When I feel like I can’t control my kids (which is OFTEN), I start cleaning or cooking, b/c it’s something I feel like I can control. God has been showing me how I revert to myself instead of turning to Him and submitting my fears about my kids to Him. Love the growth, but sometimes it’s scary.
Love what He’s showing you and love that you are allowing Him to do the work in you, even when it’s scary.
Your stories almost always make my heart smile!!! Thanks for well, just being YOU!!! Lovins!!!
Thanks Lee. That’s what I do best I’ve learned – just be me. 🙂
So true…growth starts with the small things. Great reminder!
Thanks Eileen.