Meet the Schoeneblogger

My photo
I'm the Schoeneblogger. Come on in, and have a look around. While you're here, you should join in the conversation. If you want to find out a little more about me click that tab below that says "about me." If you like what you read or want some of your friends to join the conversation, click the "share on facebook" below the blog. (same goes for twitter or google+)

Monday, February 07, 2011

Ketchup? Yuck!


Maybe the closest thing to a phobia that I have is this; I don't like ketchup. I didn't always feel this way. It just is something that has developed in my adult life. Not that I don't like ketchup on delicious food such as hot dogs and hamburgers, but given the choice I'd rather have BBQ sauce or spicy mustard. What can I say? I'm complicated.

But here is what I can't stand:
The smell of ketchup!
Ketchup, gooey and sticky around the lid of the ketchup bottle!
Ketchup dripped on the floor, now on my shoe!
Ketchup drops on the counter, on the table, on the island!
Ketchup now on my sleeve!
Ketchup on the wash rag that wasn't rinsed after cleaning up spilled ketchup!
Ketchup now on my hands!
Wash my hands with soap and water, but they still smell like KETCHUP!

To me ketchup is like a real life miniature version of the old sci-fi character THE BLOB! Touch it and it sticks to you and will not come off. Pretty soon it's everywhere, all over your fingers and elbows, clothes. Of course the smell never goes away! It reminds me of a painful grade school memory when someone stomped a ketchup packet and it sprayed all over my shoes and pant legs. The smell reminded me of the humiliation all...day...long...

Tomatoes are a wonderful vegetable, er, um, fruit (whatever). The best tomatoes come fresh from the garden and usually you have to wait until July. So sad that they have to ship them green so that they don't rot before they reach the grocer. The Problem is they never taste any good from the store because of this. So I only eat tomatoes from July - September. Not Good Enough! I suppose that is why someone came up with the solution of pureeing fresh tomatoes and adding them to the recipe for glue! That just irreverent!

Beyond the gross qualities of it, getting ketchup as a topping is like watching black and white TV in an age of advanced 3D television technology. When I use ketchup as a topping it is more for the sentimental value it adds remembering childhood bonfire and hot dog roasts. If you dislike plain off-white wall color spanning the walls throughout the inside of your home, that's how I feel about ketchup. Buh-Lah! (that's blah emphasizing both syllables)

The final reason I dislike ketchup so much is the word association of it all. It reminds me how many of my goals I'm behind on; books to read, songs to learn, people to know better, prayers to pray, scripture to memorize, new worship artists to listen to, send that email, make this contact.... it's overwhelming! I Have To Ketchup! I mean Catch Up!

Take it one day at a time sounds so cliche, but it's something to keep in mind. God never said we were to "get it all" and "get it all done" in 24 hours. I believe each lesson, every growth experience is to be savored, because it is an encounter with the almighty. There is no such thing as microwave discipleship. And even if there was, I'm not sure I'd like it very much. Like the juicy tomato ripened on the vine after months of feeding and watering, sunshine and rain, savor every bite. Take it in and be reminded of the rewards of the slow and laborious process. I might be behind on my goals and on lessons I wish I had already learned, but the answer isn't to get all caught up in a single day or even a single week. Rather, the slower, more intentional route is the way to go. One day at a time, one lesson at a time. Steady growth that lasts. That's something I can appreciate.

(No ketchup was ingested during the writing of this blog)

2 comments:

Quint said...

I couldn't agree more with the christian life being a steady walk and, it is important that we understand it this way so we don't fall into despair when it gets tough. However, poor little Alden with ketchup on his favorite jeans and new sneakers all day. Sad Story.

Unknown said...

My-my… I remember the little toddler I raised who couldn't get enough ketchup - we'd fill those little paper cups in the restaurant - so you could dip your French fries - not just dip... but double and triple dip a fry - because the fries were only an instrument to ingest more ketchup... But there is that "When I was a child I thought as a child... now that I've grown I put away my childish ways..." (paraphrased by Mom) So, is ketchup merely a childish condiment? Mustard is much harder to remove from a white shirt... To fear sticky ketchup might be normal - maybe not... Ruthie mixes hers with Ranch - ketchup is quite versatile as you can see.

To ketchup or CATCH UP... Life's biggest thief is the time that we waste - steal from our Lord or our families or ourselves. BUT as you say - one day at a time - perhaps one hour (one ketchup sandwich -LOL) at a time... The beauty of our Savior is His patience with us! He will never leave us, give up on us or forsake us, regardless of ketchup / Catch up or even barbeque sauce…

You are a deep thinker in all this – BUT I remember how you used to be with your ketchup and I remember your BLT sandwiches without the T – ‘cause you didn’t like ‘em. Our Lord brings us through this life as we take baby steps… toward ketchup or away from ketchup – JUST make sure you Catch Up to Him and Stick to Him just like sticky ketchup on your sleeves, the floor or the bottle cap -

To fear ketchup or to fear the lack of catching up: Fear is what I’m told was defeated by our Savior, Jesus Christ, that dark day on the Cross – the BRIGTH day of resurrection!! So – pour on the mustard – the ketchup or the ranch dressing… But remember Our Lord is the one that truly adds all the flavor to our lives and keeps us satisfied…
Love Mom