Lessons from the Pioneer Woman

"Whatever you do, do it heartily"

Colossians 3:23

Are you a fan of cooking shows?  I love them.  I don't very often avail myself of the recipes they share.  I guess I'm pretty happy with my repertoire of recipes.  Once in awhile I'll see something new I want to try, but mostly I think I just enjoy the sights and sounds and descriptions of food.  And I definitely enjoy learning new tips and tricks for the kitchen, or flavor combinations I never thought of.  Like knowing which herbs go well with which foods.  I don't have a good instinct for that.

The Food Network has a new cooking show with a very entertaining blogger and author named Ree Drummond, or The Pioneer Woman.  She was making macaroni and cheese, and it was so decadent and delicious looking.

Now, I love macaroni and cheese, but I rarely make it from scratch.  I was never a fan of the cheap box version, but my kids had tried it at a friend's house or something, and they always bugged me to buy that.    So the couple  of times I made mac & cheese from scratch, they were disappointed.  So we compromised on the frozen stuff.  It wasn't homemade, but at least it wasn't made with that unnatural-looking fluorescent, cheese-type powder.

And then today I watched The Pioneer Woman making macaroni and cheese.  With cream and egg yolks and plenty of shredded cheddar cheese.

{And can I just interrupt here to say that of all the wonderful things that Great Britain has given the world, extra-sharp cheddar might be my favorite.}

So there I was, drooling over her mac & cheese, (and her homemade lemon & blueberry pancakes) and I really admired her for making these simple dishes from scratch.  She's a busy mom with four kids (whom she homeschools) and books to write, on top of all the regular "mom" and "wife" stuff she has to do.

But that's the thing:  making homemade mac & cheese and pancakes from scratch are her "mom" and "wife" stuff.  She could do these tasks an easier way, and be well-justified.  She could tell her family that with her new cookbook and her new cooking show, she needed to cut a few corners to fit everything in her schedule.

But of all the "mom" and "wife" tasks that a mom needs to do, feeding one's family is probably the most important.  And it's such a great way to show love.  And so she cooks the very best way she knows how, taking very seriously her role of "mom" and "wife" and not letting it get lost in all the other titles she wears, like author and blogger and TV personality.

Most of us wear a lot of hats.  Whether you're a parent or not, whether you're a spouse or not, you're some combination of friend, employer, sibling, child, employee or volunteer.  But "busy" is no excuse for doing anything less than our best.   If I know a healthier, more delicious way of making dinner for my family, I shouldn't be taking the easy way out.

If we give our best to our jobs, our hobbies, or when it's time to impress someone, why wouldn't we give our best to our families... to the daily, sometimes "mundane" ministries He has called us to?  Everything He has called me to deserves the best of me.

"Whatever you do, do it heartily, 

as to the Lord and not to men"

Colossians 3:23