WHAT’S IN A SAUCEPAN?
I have been on some fabulous holidays recently. Hebrides, Scottish Borders, Northern Ireland, Edinburgh…and each time I have tried to bring back a memory. Paintings and photos, including a close up of a locally growing wild flower and a 1900s photo taken from a particular spot, next to one visited ruin and looking across at a cathedral, recently visited.
These memories are mine and looking at my walls, they will not elicit the same feelings in others.
This is the essence of great liturgy, worship songs and hymns, church buildings, ritual and sacraments such as baptism and communion.
They point to something else – they are not generally a means in themselves, but point to the end – to Jesus, our saviour. And that’s why what works for each of us might be different. Simple works – because our experience of the “first love” will be different.
It may be the comfort of a well known and oft repeated prayer, or it may be a song or hymn that we struggle to get to the end of without tears in our eyes and a lump in the throat, it might be the pew we sat in when we encountered Him. It could be a whole manner of things.
And it could be something very simple.
These are the thoughts I had when I read a recent social media post by a friend of mine, Evan*.
What’s in a saucepan? 
Some people need Lamborghinis and fancy watches, immaculate houses and expensive holidays. I just need this saucepan.
As we get older we realise the value of things, if we’re lucky. Value in what really matters.
This saucepan is worth more than its weight in gold. This was our mum’s saucepan. I remember it back to the 1980s. I imagine she had it in the 70s. This saucepan was the engine behind our family Sunday roasts. The laughter round the table. The shared moments. The hubbub of life and the fountain of memories. Overlooked and unseen perhaps back then. But remembered now.
In this vessel many thousands of roast potatoes have started their journey towards immortality because mum made the very finest roast potatoes. That’s not just me saying that because she was my mum. No. The countless guests at our table all attested to their excellence. Indeed her roast potatoes are legendary. Today my wife insists I make our roast potatoes because I’ve inherited that gene…just as I’ve inherited this saucepan.
I own many precious things, each of them as unworthy to the untrained eye. This though is my Aladdin’s lamp. From this metal bowl and its perfectly fitting lid memories are conjured and love is shared.
What’s in a saucepan?
Goodness, joy, love and memories.
I don’t need a Lamborghini. I’ll be at home par boiling potatoes ready to roast, to enjoy. Good times.
The first question in last week’s Worship for Everyone was “What helps you focus on God”.
Whatever that is for you, is a precious gift. And it’s different for all of us.
Hold onto it. Don’t worship the reminder, look through it to the object of our thankfulness, affection and faith.
Jesus, saviour and perfecter of our souls.
This Lent and especially through this Holy week, maybe explore what is our “saucepan” to God!
Every blessing
Doug
* Reproduced with permission
LAST WORDS