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Homemade Ice Cream Tim Smelser
When I was a child, my parents would frequently invite many other families over to make homemade ice cream, a special favorite of the all the children. The adults mixed up the cream, eggs, and sugar, while the kids helped peel and dice the fruit to go in it. Once everything was ready, the mixture was placed in the churn and the kids took turns cranking the handle. Homemade ice cream took a long time! For the rest of the hot afternoon, we would sit in the back yard turning that crank, listening to stories our parents would tell. Somehow, the anticipation coupled with the actual work of cranking enhanced the taste and enjoyment of that sweet treat! Store-bought ice cream, even those labeled “homemade taste,” still falls short of that ice cream from my youth. Today, many children have never known the joy of homemade ice cream. They have not contributed to the work, nor have they exhibited the patience required to reap the reward. It is definitely their loss. Our society has encouraged this tradition to fall by the wayside, with our culture of instant gratification. We live in a time of instant everything, from food to clothing to possessions. We do not have to cultivate gardens, tend them carefully, and wait patiently for harvest. We march down to the local Wal-Mart and buy what we want, often regardless of season. We no longer must raise sheep, shear them, spin the wool, weave the fabric, and sew it into clothing. In fact, we no longer even sew store-bought fabric into clothing as a matter of habit or necessity. Americans walk into the store of their choice, and in a matter of minutes or hours have obtained the clothing they need to cover their bodies or stay protected from the cold. We don’t even have to work to earn the money for what we wish to buy; we simply hand over a credit card and “charge it!” What is the point? We as a people have distanced ourselves from the everyday experience of patience and perseverance! Children are no longer taught the virtue of diligence toward a goal through the accomplishment of household tasks. (When was the last time anyone in your home spent several hours churning butter?) As a result, many people no longer see the virtue in these behaviors, instead opting for the easy and the immediate. God’s word encourages us to persevere in our work, especially while living the Christian life. “And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:9). The apostle Paul likened his life service to God to a marathon in 2 Tim 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give to me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that have loved his appearing.” Impatience is not a new vice for God’s people. Aaron made an idol for the children of Israel, because they did not want to wait any longer for Moses to return from the presence of God (Ex. 32:1-6)! Esau chose an immediate end to his hunger, in exchange for his birthright (Gen. 25:29-34). Proverbs cautions against hasty action, born of impatience, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). What do planting a garden, sewing clothing, churning butter, and cranking ice cream teach us? 1. The value of patience. Things of value take time to achieve. 2. The benefit of effort. Things of value take hard work. 3. The reward of perseverance. Persistence pays off! The writer of Hebrews encourages us to live our lives with consistent service to God. “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Heb. 6:11-12). We personally need to cultivate habits that encourage perseverance, diligence, and effort, and teach them to our children and grandchildren. Ultimately, these attitudes and behaviors will be a glory to God. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-25).
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