Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.” Romans 12:4-5
It just doesn’t make any sense. I am from the South, and we know how to do food. There are two foods that are mainstays. They are grits and watermelon. From my perspective you don’t mess with Texas, and you don’t mess with grits, and you don’t mess with watermelon. Yet, there it is as plain as day. And, for goodness’ sake, it is in my family.
My wife Judy has long been a fan of watermelon. I mean she isn’t friends with watermelon, she loves it. And just like me, she loves sweet watermelon. When we were growing up, watermelons were just about the size of a small blimp, weighing up to 30 and 40 pounds. Most of them were as sweet as sugar water. There was not a question if a melon was going to be sweet, it was just a matter of how sweet it was going to be! Those were the days.
However, somewhere along the way watermelons changed. Most of them are now the size of basketballs and weigh-in at a feather weight of 12-15 pounds. And it seems the only way to get a sweet watermelon is to inject it with sugar water. Perhaps that might be the reason Judy has gotten confused about how to make a melon taste sweeter. Someone has cast an evil spell upon her. For many years now, she has been convinced that putting salt—that’s right salt—on watermelon somehow makes it sweeter. What? Listen, I’ve tried this, and the only thing salt does to watermelon is make it salty.
I’ve tried to remove this evil spell but to no avail. And she even uses it against me. She will sometimes cut up a watermelon and then sprinkle…or dump…salt all over it. She knows then that the melon is all hers. It is a devious plan indeed. But that is what happens when you mess with melons.
Now the second problem is as bad. Everyone knows that grits are not cream of wheat and not oatmeal …so you do not…and I repeat DO NOT…put sugar on grits. It is a travesty of justice, and some would say very close to a sin. If God had wanted grits to be sweet, He would have made them that way. I have a very good friend who has been mesmerized by a spell and he is convinced that sugar goes on grits. It is a sad tale indeed. And the crazy part is, he is wonderful cook. I think it just goes to show that even the best cooks can be deceived.
You might ask, “Well, what goes on grits?” That would be salt, pepper, butter and lots of all three. A good bowl of grits should slide down your throat like shoes on melting ice, raise your blood pressure by 10 points, and have a nice pepper burn. But they should not be sweet…ever…never. Now there are other acceptable variations such as cheese (oh, yes) bacon bits (I can taste it now!) and of course shrimp. If you have never had cheese grits or shrimp and grits, you need to repent right away and go try it. You won’t regret it. It is as fine as frog hair…and that is fine.
Now I have learned (actually, I am still learning) that someone can believe that you need to put salt on watermelon and sugar on grits and still be your friend. That becomes important if you happen to be married to them. You see, we need to learn that we don’t need to agree on everything. If we would practice that, the world would be a better place for sure. Now, not that I have ever had this problem, but sometimes people tend to get a little stubborn. We tend to think that there is only one way and that is our way. You know, kinda like when you think you don’t put salt on watermelon or, gulp, sugar on grits. Oops, I think I just shot myself in the foot. I knew if I wrote long enough it would happen.
The Book tell us, “Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.” In other words, it is ok if Judy likes salt on her watermelon, if she keeps the salt on her side of the plate. And my friend who likes sugar on his grits may need to go to rehab, but he can still be my friend. Let’s not make mountains out of molehills, especially in these days.
I’m probably must try this salt and sugar thing at least one more time. If nothing else, it will show that I am trying to understand. That’s what Jesus would want me to do and that’s what He does for me. When I come up with some strange combinations in life, well, He just smiles and tries to show me the right way. He keeps me from doing something too crazy…like eating chili and eggs. It’s good to know that if I do, He’s got that too. Bro. Dewayne
Grits with Grace 