I'm a big fan of microwave popcorn.  Not the yellow stuff that tastes like plastic.  I mean the homemade goodness that you scoop out of a bag, into a paper bag and pop in your oven.  That's good stuff right there and I've been told that I make it well.  Tonight, however, I burned the popcorn.  Not lightly either.  We're talking about the smelly, oh-why-didn't-I-push-the-STOP-button, I-hope-I-didn't-start-a-fire burnt.  

Being a culinary veteran of this magnificent and fiber-rich food, I was very surprised.  After making popcorn multiple times per week, I've gotten so accustomed to the process:

Open, measure, scoop, pour, push, wait, beep, butter, salt, eat…smile.

I got so used to this, in fact, that I forgot how many variables there are in the equation.  What if the microwave is busted?  What if we're out of butter?  What if the salt is empty?  What if that's a bad batch of kernels?  What if I pushed the wrong button for the microwave to start?  What if it just doesn't work?

Life is like this sometimes isn't it?  I mean, we all have our routines: Get up, wash, brush-teeth, fix hair (where applicable…shhhhh), clothe, eat, keys, go, work, laugh, talk, go home, wash, rinse, repeat.   Sometimes, though, a bad kernel gets mixed in with our routine and things get thrown off.  Toes get stubbed, exams are failed, keys get lost, families fight!  In those moments, we remember, or rather, should remember, that there are so many parts to our day -so many variables- why shouldn't things go wrong occasionally?  In fact, it's evidence of God's undeserved kindness that more things don't go wrong in life.

Today, with burnt popcorn in hand, I will remember to be thankful.  God, please help me to be slow to get angry when life get's out of whack.  Please help me to appreciate the peace I enjoy and to use it for good as you define it, not just for my own selfish pleasures.

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."  -Luke 6:35

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." -Hebrews 12:28