Asking For Anchovies

I'd like to think this doesn't happen often, but have you ever been asked a ridiculous question? 

Examples: 

1. You're standing there with a baby stroller, prepping a bottle/snack, and someone asks if there's a baby in there.
2. You're trying on a wedding dress and someone asks if you're getting married. 
3. You're adjusting a weight machine at the gym, and someone asks if you work out.
4. You're wearing a cheesy embroidered polo for the business you work for, and someone asks if you work there. 

Those are the kind of questions that I am referring to as ridiculous. I'm sure that every now and then someone is bottle feeding a little fluffy dog, or they're just anxiously awaiting the day they get engaged and are trying on dresses for real. But generally speaking, those questions are ridiculous. 

Although they can be annoying, even a little frustrating, I would rather be asked a ridiculous question than asking something of someone that was relatively 'easy' and be given a hard time. I mean at least with the silly question I have learned to control my eyebrows and respond with grace. The latter- I still struggle with. 

Since I'm on a roll with examples, here are a few of the things I ask that are "easy" but are received poorly:

1. Hey, you just told me you spend $$$$$$ per week on groceries and feel like you're bringing nothing home. You should shop at Aldi for whatever you can get! You'll save a ton and feel great helping your family! --> to be met with "I don't want to make two+ stops"
2. Hey, I heard you say how unorganized you feel. I have tried a few planners in my day! I'll send the links and you can look at what works for you! --> to be met with "no, I'll just stick to what I'm doing"
3. Hey, I was feeling really overwhelmed by laundry too and all the piles of clean laundry lying around. I started to do one/two small loads a day, and I'm able to get things folded or hung up, AND put away in the same day, you should try it! --> to be met with "I don't have the time to do laundry every day, I'll just stick with what I'm doing."

I'll admit, I get it and even do it myself sometimes. People give me solutions to my problems this side of Heaven and I'm just not ready to fix it. I have NO idea why I would want to complain about something, and then be like "nahhhh what I'm doing is working." I mean, say that out loud. It sounds bonkers. "I'm really struggling and am unhappy with how ____ is going, but even though you have a solution to make my less stressed/happier/enjoy life, I'm gonna go ahead and pass. I'll stick to my sob story." I mean what?!

I'm offering money saving, time saving, MOOD altering solutions. I mean they're not perfect, probably mediocre at best. But come on... I'm not asking you to eat a can of anchovies. 

I was talking to my special mom's group about anchovies one night. YUCK- NOT for me. I love fish, and I know that they are in Caesar dressing, but I don't want to chomp on an eyeball or chow on some fish bones. Hard. Pass. 

Sometimes, after I suggest option 1: a new suggestion to improve someone's routine, I feel like they would rather take option 2: eat anchovies; instead of get out of their comfort zone .

I face palm a lot when this stuff happens... but then I sit down for a coffee date with Jesus and He shows me just how often I'm actually choosing to eat anchovies over the BEAUTIFUL plan He's got in store for me. Instant heart break.

God shows me ways to break free from worry, anxiety, fear, shame, guilt.... time and time again. But most of the time, I choose option 2. I choose the anchovies. 

Fall of 2023 was the women's study at my church that completely change the trajectory of the choices I made at God's restaurant. 

I've written about this before, but I was presented with Biblical truths and the real-life-experiences of someone I know, and it was kind of laid out out in my FAVORITE way possible: "if this, then that!"

I use it on everyone I come in contact with, and how did you guess, I've got examples for you!

1. IF you want healthy hair, THEN you can't use 450 degree hot tools without a heat protector. 
2. IF you want to play outside, THEN we have to tidy up first. 
3. IF you want to be a morning person, THEN you're going to have to go to bed before midnight. 

She told us that IF we want freedom from these chains and the bondage we have, THEN we have to let it go and rely on God. 

I experience so many breakthroughs in that study because I realized I  actually wasn't happy with what I was doing. And the things that seemed to paralyze me with fear, weren't actually that scary. 

I'm not saying God thinks anchovies are gross. But I'm saying that ANYTHING He's got in store for me, is the ultimate option. It does, and will surpass ANYTHING I could come up with by leaps and bounds. 

What are you ordering in Heaven's Kitchen? The special that is not only AMAZING, but FREE!? Or the thing you order every single time but are never happy with-- oh and it's stupid expensive??

You are the ONE He left the 99 for. It's time to change up your order.