In a Pressure Cooker
Photo Credit: Humusak2, via Free Images
Growing up as a Cuban kid in Miami, the pressure cooker was a staple in our kitchen. Mom used to put all sorts of root vegetables in there, and then she’d stick them in a blender with chicken broth and make a yummy soup, which we called “potaje” (that’s Spanish for thick vegetable soup).
I grew up in fear of the pressure cooker. It hissed and steamed and spoke of danger. I heard tall tales of foolish Cubans who opened the pressure cooker too early to explosive results.
I did not want my face to blow up, so I decided to forgo utilizing the pressure cooker.
Now that I am older and wiser, I realize that the pressure cooker has some benefits. For starters, it’s a time saver. If you want to soften up some veggies, you can do it in like 15 minutes. Rachel Ray would be proud of my 30-minute meal — potaje on the table in a jiffy!
Tonight at church, the guest speaker reminded me about the pressure cooker by pointing me to James 1:
Consider it a sheer gift, friends,
when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.
You know that under pressure,
your faith-life is forced into the open
and shows its true colors.
So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.
Let it do its work
so you become mature and well-developed,
not deficient in any way.
Some days, I feel like I am in the pressure cooker. Don’t you?
Tonight, I was reminded that once the lid comes off and the steam is released, I am going to be softer to His touch. I need to wait. I need to trust the process.
Something to think about…
Love your thought Lyli!! I have been in the pressure cooker lately and need to be reminded it is all for good somehow. God is in control!
Wonderful analogy, Lyli! When I saw the picture, my thoughts went a different direction. I thought of times when I have kept things in & stuffed them down deep inside of me without releasing them. The steam built up & then I spewed, or vented as we tactfully describe. It would have been so much better to have vented in prayer, allowing Him to soften me. Thank you for giving me much to think about today!
oh the heat, the pruning, the shaping and molding He does.
but yes, it hurts. yet I love how you’re keeping your eye on that prize, Lyli.
This verse really spoke to me today, thank you.
The cook in me so enjoyed this – as did the mom, wife and plain old me who is often pressurized! Yet- those challenges do – soften us up for Him! Now – I want some of that potaje tonight!
Hey Lyli, I loved this post. But I have to tell there is a peaceful spirit in your writing. I’ve visited and linked to you before, but it’s been awhile. So glad I found you again. Your button is on my blog now. Many blessings! ~andy
Lyli,
What a great reminder…it is no fun to be in the pressure cooker but when we think about the final result, it gives us hope to stay the course..praying today for God’s peace and strength for you..((hugs))
I feel like I’ve been in a pressure cooker this week! Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!
The heat of this life tenderizes us! YES! Love it! Such a simply but timely truth! Oh ya, and I didn’t know you are Cuban!? How cool is that!? Thanks for hosting us this week! Blessings Abundant! ~
Oh the pressure cooker is my job. I keep getting thrown back in. Apparently I’m not soft enough yet.
My mom cooked with the pressure cooker a lot. It would do a roast and make it extra tender. You do need to use caution when you cool it down before removing the lid. Just like us it is good to keep our cool and not blow our top! Jesus does help with that too.
Lovely Post. and thank you for hosting.
A fabulous analogy, Lyli! You always give me something edifying to think about when I stop by – I so appreciate you 🙂
Oh Lyli – I love this: “once the lid comes off and the steam is released, I am going to be softer to His touch. I need to wait. I need to trust the process.” Hard – but so true!
“Waiting and trusting the process”, this is exactly where I am today. Thank you for sharing at The Weekend Brew!
It’s kind of been a pressure cooker kind of year as God has been teaching me just how strong my flesh is.