Donuts and Donut Holes
Years ago I stumbled on a series of parables written by William Barton. As a pastor, Barton wrote extensively from the late 1800s through the early 1900s. He died in 1930.
He wrote one column from the point of view of his alter-ego, Safed the Sage (SAY-Fed) and his wife, Keturah. Although the parables are written in the King's English, they have much to share in this modern world. One article especially spoke to me this season.
In this particular one, Safed was watching Keturah make doughnuts. Keturah mixed the dough, rolled it flat, cut out round shapes and then removed the holes. After frying the doughnuts in hot oil on both sides, she gave one to her observing husband. The donut tasted so good that it prompted Safed to question what could be the advantage of having a hole. If the donut is good without the hole, how much better it would be if the entire donut, hole included, were dough! Keturah explains to him that without the hole, the donut would require an extended bath in the hot cooking oil. This process would make the outside rock hard while the center would remain uncooked. Safed then applied this idea to life.
Rather than simply give thanks for all the good things in our lives, we often worry about the missing holes in our lives. The donut hole reminds us of the difficult and painful gaps in our lives. We may be thoroughly blessed, but seeing someone else with more, we wonder what we are missing.
As I reflected on that parable I was reminded that my job will often require me to be concerned with the holes in the ministry. Which visitor or new believer is slipping through the cracks? What small group is needed to help disciple those not connected in Sunday School? What programs are working for those who attend regularly and what programs do we need to create to reach those who have stopped attending? How should we reach out to those in our community without a place of spiritual rest? If I only focus on the holes, my life would be that of a spiritual fireman, putting out one fire after another.
What I have realized, is that my main job is to stay close to the Lord. My strength, my hope, my vision, and my ability to love all come from God. My job as a pastor, shepherd, and spiritual leader is to help open the eyes of those people God allows me to encounter to the beauty of Jesus Christ by pointing them to the many blessings around each of us every day. My life - personal, pastoral, church, and spiritual - are filled with holes. There are always problems to address and something else to do. But, there is so much good happening around me - if only I will take the time to see it.
The Psalmist probably wasn't thinking about doughnuts when he wrote, "O taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8), but the comparison works. One way we stay close to the Lord is to "give thanks in all circumstances." Let us enjoy what we have rather than mourn what is absent from our lives. As we prepare for this season, let us reflect on the good that is present in our lives and give thanks.
In His love,
Rev. Pat
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