Have you ever been to an ice cream shop with freezers as far as you can see and thought, “I wish there were more flavors of ice cream in this shop. These 47 options are not enough. I think they need just one more flavor and then I would be satisfied.”
I’ve served ice cream when there is one flavor and I’ve served ice cream when people had to pick between 10 different flavors. Every one of the 10 would be a great option (except bubble gum. That’s a terrible option. Who even thought of that? But, I digress.) People stand there gazing into the freezer depths like a deer in headlights. The number of options seems to dramatically increase the time, anxiety, and discontentment of those peering through the glass.
Could it be that we need less options? I’ve noticed that ice cream consumers are most satisfied when there are fewer options.
Could there be a time when there are too few options? How would you like to have only plain potatoes for your favorite holiday, your birthday and every other day?
When I studied abroad in the jungle, I met people who lived with limited options. When I am a stranger in a new land, I love getting to know the way of life of those who call that place home. One of the biggest differences I always notice and enjoy about a place is the difference in food.
This time in particular was different from any place I had been before in one big way; the entire lack of options. The answer was always the same after the usual, “What do you eat for…” question. It was potatoes, roasted in a fire, with nothing on them. After asking if they like that, I would receive a quizzical look that said, “is there any other option?”
Now, I don’t think it would be better or healthy to only eat potatoes, (My body, being used to a protein diet, did not do well on a diet of carbs on my carbs) but I do wonder if limiting our options could make for a more satisfied and purposeful life.
Let me tell you about the day I tried to stay on the ground. With the crazy wet and stormy weather we’ve been having, my opportunities for flying have been severely limited. I gaze longingly into the sky at the towers of clouds and swirling storms and dream of being up there in it all. The other evening, I finished the fieldwork and it just so happened that the weather was just right and the timing was perfect for flying! It was also a perfect evening to take my kids on a four wheeler trail ride! But what should I do? Two too many options! However, because I want to prioritize my kids over my hobby, it was an easy call. I made the suggestion, but it turns out they were playing with cousins and were not in a four wheeling mood. Well then, the sky’s the limit and I’m headed up!
Unless they’re managed, options create discontentment. A dad who thinks his desires are most important will be annoyed at his children. We could talk about each stage of life and how that can be true.
Rather than the tyranny of autonomy, let’s decide what our lives are going to be made of and live in the freedom of faithfulness. Choosing the road of commitment rather than the whim of our feelings. In the Bible, Adam was bound by covenant loyalty to his bride and his maker. Choosing and being free for it. It was in breaking that boundary that the trouble began.
Marital intimacy needs a husband and wife in covenant, sealed with vows. Children need boundaries of family, and friendships need grace and forgiveness to withstand the winds of adversity. We need freedom from slavery to ourselves.
Just as fish need water and birds need air, freedom would not be found in trading lives and seeking things beyond our boundaries. Hold fast to what is firm. Let the rest go.
What can we know for sure? The Bible says, “We have this hope (Jesus) as the anchor for our soul, firm and secure.”
Hey, it’s national ice cream month! I just asked my daughter which flavor she would choose at an ice cream shop and she said, “All of them! AHHH! Don’t do this to me!”
With over a thousand ice cream flavors to try, why not try a couple new ones? Here’s some good ones I recently learned about; Dragon Breath Garlic Clove or a good ole Crunchy Parakeet flavor. I don’t know, maybe we need more options. Come get some fresh cream and make your own!
Meet your farmer – Jonathan Gerdes. He and his wife run a farm-to-table raw milk dairy in Caledonia, Minn. If he isn’t in the barn, you can find him dating his wife, playing with his kids, leading youth group, or flying in the sky. Visit gerdesfreshfarm.com for more info.
Crunchy Parakeet?
Fresh whipping cream
Sweetened condensed milk
Vanilla or other flavoring
Beat the whipping cream until it is fluffy.
Add the sweetened condensed milk and beat it until well combined.
Add the flavoring and then put it in the freezer.
Allow ice cream to freeze for 8 hours and serve with desired toppings.
Ideas: I recommend adding some crumbled sandwich cookies, candy bar crumbles, nuts, or chocolate syrup swirl.
Recipe from loveanddishes.net
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