Transformation

Yesterday, our oldest son turned 20!  I’m not really sure how it has been 20 years since he was born, but what a joy to celebrate him and the season of life he is in.  

He doesn’t particularly like cake, so I always make pie for his birthday.  Coconut cream is his favorite.  

I’m unsure how familiar you are with pie-making, but it is a lengthy process.  I probably only make it twice a year - for his birthday and sometimes for Thanksgiving.  

The process begins with making the pie crust.  The dough I use has to be blended in the food processor, and then it needs to be refrigerated for at least 30 minutes.  After it has cooled, you remove it from the refrigerator and allow it to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.  Finally, it is ready to roll into a pie crust.  Once you roll the crust and place it in the pan, it goes into the freezer for 10 minutes.  Then, at last, it bakes for 30 minutes.  

That is just for the crust.  

Then there is the filling.  I always make two pies, because if I’m going to make the dough for the crust, why wouldn’t I bake two?  

The first one is coconut cream, and the second is chocolate.  Both of these pies are custard-style pies that require you to have great patience as you wait for the ingredients to thicken.  And you can only make one filling at a time because each requires constant stirring for anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes.  

The filling includes a starch, which needs to be heated on a fairly low setting.  The heat activates the starch and causes the filling to thicken, but it needs to happen slowly.  Yay, Chemistry! 

You must remain focused on stirring the ingredients for the filling because if you walk away, it is possible you’ll burn the whole mixture and have to start again.  

Eventually, the filling is done.  You pour it into the pie crust, cover it with some plastic wrap, and put it in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours.  

As you can imagine, I don’t ever make the pies on the same day we are going to eat them. 

While I was baking, I was thinking about how you can’t rush the process, no matter how much you might want to.  This is true for pies but also for our journey with Jesus.   

Transformation takes time.  It cannot be rushed.  

• Where are you hoping to see transformation in your story right now?  

• What does it look like to slow down and not rush the process?  

• Are you willing to do the work required for growth? 

• Do you need to invite others into the process with you?  Who can you ask for help? 

Transformation is an ongoing part of our story.  The Spirit helps us notice the areas that need attention at different seasons in our lives, and walks with us as we navigate the slow work of becoming more like Jesus.  

~  Melissa