"Waffles"

 

“Waffles”

 

In 1955 Joe Rogers and Tom Forkner opened a small restaurant in Avondale Estates, GA geared to fast service 24 hours a day. Since then Waffle House has grown to (as of 2024) 2010 locations in 25 states, mostly in the southern US. The yellow décor is a familiar sight, especially at Interstate Highway interchanges where travelers can get a good meal quickly at reasonable prices. (I’ve stopped at a number of them over the years but can’t recall ever ordering a waffle!) With the advent of breakfast buffets which often include waffles at hotels and motels Waffle House and other eateries specializing in breakfast fare have taken a financial hit but most have survived by diversifying menus, a good example of making changes according to market conditions.

In a recent message our pastor, Caleb Pipes, used this “delicacy” as an illustration of our lives as God’s people. A waffle is made up of squares which vary in number (one in our freezer has 35). When we pour the syrup on it fills some of the holes to overflowing, others evenly and a few remain dry. Pastor Caleb then made the application that we overemphasize some areas of our lives (maybe our special interests), have certain ones in proper perspective and ignore the rest (perhaps the ones that interfere with the first group). Just as this may impact our enjoyment of our breakfast treat the lack of balance in our lives may keep us from experiencing God’s best.

Many years ago a traveling youth worker whose name I’ve forgotten gave talks to gatherings of teenagers on the subject “The Well-Rounded Square” using the description of Jesus’ life as a young man summarized in Luke 2:52: “…Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and (people).” The speaker pointed out the four areas of His life which He kept in perfect harmony: mental (wisdom), physical (stature), spiritual (favor with God) and social (favor with people). If we don’t follow this pattern our lives won’t function in the way God intends, much like a ceiling fan with its blades out of whack or a waffle with the syrup applied unevenly.

Paul and his companions prayed for believers in this way: “We also pray that your outward lives, which (people) see, may bring credit to your master’s name, that you may bring joy to his heart by bearing genuine Christian fruit, and that your knowledge of God may grow yet deeper.” (Colossians 1:10, PH). So as we enjoy the Waffle House signature dish let’s think of and pray for consistency in what it pictures and live it out to God’s glory.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan