Kids in the kitchen

Creation seems to be delegation through and through. He will do nothing simply of Himself which can be done by creatures. I suppose this is because He is a giver. And He has nothing to give but Himself. And to give Himself is to do His deeds–in a sense, and on varying levels to be Himself–through the things He has made.

The above quote is taken from Letters to Malcom by C.S. Lewis. I found myself lingering on this concept this morning, and continuing to reflect on it throughout the day. The simple fact that the Father allows us to do His work simply blows me away.

It’s like inviting a four year old into your kitchen to cook up a pot of soup. The addition of inexperienced little hands means that the process is certain to take twice as long and make twice the mess. Instead of quickly speeding through a recipe, you have to slowly go step by step, thinking of how to involve said child, teaching that child how to do different tasks, holding his hand for him to learn how to move a peeler, waiting patiently as he tries it on his own. Learning how to give instruction without taking over. Having a ready hand to repair damage, but first letting him try to fix it.

But there’s joy in the process as well. Pride as he realizes he can peel carrots. Laughter over a little spill. Happiness at being included. Companionship. The dirtier counters, the minutes melting away, the light dusting of flour over every surface no longer seem that important.

And when you’re done? And you take that first taste knowing you had a hand in it? Pure, undeniable bliss.

Delivering the soup to his family, he doesn’t say “I made it all by myself!” Instead, he cries, “Guess what I got to do? I can peel carrots! I never knew I could peel carrots!”

On a much grander scale, this is what our Father does with us. He invites us into the kitchen of His work and, not without instruction of course, allows us to measure and stir and pour, while He vigilantly oversees the process to bring about the desired end. Why does He allow us to take part in what He could so easily accomplish on His own? I would dare to say that He takes utter delight in the companionship of the process. In another way, it must increase the glory and praise and love when all is accomplished and the final product is put on display. Miracle of all miracles–on that day we will be allowed to say, I had a part in that. Although none will be foolish enough to think that the end would have ever come about without the one who guided and ordered the process and instructed and repaired all mistakes. Indeed, all will be aware that the end could have been brought about quite easily without his contribution. And yet the Father’s ability to use us despite clumsy hands and accident prone fingers will only prove one more reason to sing praise.

{By the way, the recipe for the soup Will and I were making this morning is here. Make it today; you won’t regret it! Need proof? Upon tasting the soup, Will declared he could eat the entire pot.}