Posts
Rolls
Instead of Roles
By Susanne Scheppmann
Key
Verse
“You have many workmen: stonecutters, masons
and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work in gold and
silver, bronze and iron--craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the
Lord be with you.” (1 Chronicles. 22:15-16 NIV)
Devotion:
Consider
these usually common why’s of the
holidays:
Why
do women usually mail back the RSVPs to parties?
Why
do dads usually put together the multi-million piece toys?
Why
do men usually string the lights on the Christmas trees?
Why
do women usually determine the dinner menus?
We
perform some of our whys because they
need to be handled by the most competent person. Other whys are done because they are roles we want to assume—the tasks
come naturally. Sometimes we perform certain roles because of expectations from
others. Or perhaps, we do them out of habit. Or worse, we do them to impress
others with our ability to do everything.
I
find this need to impress others especially prevalent in myself during the
holidays. I want to be considered by family and friends to be the superhero
holiday hostess. The Thanksgiving table needs turkey and ham. Buttered rolls, green bean casserole, potatoes, and
homemade gravy are arrayed on a linen tablecloth. Then pecan, pumpkin, and
apple pies with a dollop of homemade whip cream must follow. That’s only
Thanksgiving, but it will give you a preview of my “Christmas superwoman
complex.”
However, last month I discovered something very
interesting. My husband is a great cook. He has hidden this talent away for
twenty-three years. It wasn’t his role. But, the secret is out. From scratch,
he baked a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. The cake could have won an
award at the local state fair. At first, I was shocked—pleasantly. As I
devoured my portion of the tasty dessert, I began to think about the upcoming
Thanksgiving menu. “Maybe he could make a carrot cake instead of one of the
pies. Perhaps, he could create a new vegetable casserole. He just might be able
to roast the turkey. I could carve it! Well, maybe not. But I do think I will
attempt to switch one or two of our family’s holiday cooking roles.”
Honestly,
it might be fun to start a new tradition. We could share kitchen tasks and
teach each other our “specialized skills.” I need to learn to release a few of
the holiday traditions to others who are just as capable as I am at creating a
delightful dinner. For beginners, we’ll have carrot cake instead of pecan pie.
And, I think my husband can take over the dinner rolls, too. We will try on a
couple of role/roll reversals for this year’s festivities.
However,
I will send out the party RSVPs. Why? I guess because it’s my role and it needs
to be done.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, reveal to me the roles that I tend to
control because of my own perfectionist tendencies or other’s expectations.
Teach me to release the control I hold in all our family’s holiday traditions.
Teach me to share the work, the time, and the joy. Help us as a family to work
together and enjoy each other’s company. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application
steps:
Ask your friends and family what new “role” they
would like to try during the holiday season. Allow them the privilege of
sharing in the traditions. Remind yourself to assume the role of an encourager.
Don’t allow yourself to nitpick about the results of someone else’s
effort.
Reflections:
What
role do I always assume in the family festivities?
Do
I aspire to the role of superhero holiday hostess?
Am
I willing to let others share their talents in my holiday traditions?
Power
verses:
Deuteronomy
16:15, “For seven days celebrate the Feast to the Lord your God at the place
the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest
and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete.” (NIV)
Ecclesiastes
10:15, “A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.”
(NIV)
Colossians
3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for men.” (NIV)
© 2007 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
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