Preparing to marry my groom over thirteen years ago and start a household of my own, I approached my mom and excitedly asked her if I could finally have her famous pumpkin pie recipe. Through giggles, she leaned close and whispered, “Just follow the recipe on the back of a can of Libby’s Pumpkin Puree.” Imagine my surprise!
All those years, all those holidays. Family, friends, and co-workers clamored for one of her pies. What was her trick? Secret ingredient? All that time, no secret at all.
As the holidays approach, like every other year, I think back to this silly moment shared with my mom and my heart smiles.
But you know what dawns on me today? If we’re not careful, our faith is much like this recipe my mom held. She chose not to share, but it was available and accessible to all. Please don’t get me wrong — I am in no way comparing my mom’s fun “secret keeping” to choosing not to share her faith. She’s a great example of living out her faith every day through service and kindness to others.
But am I keeping secret the best recipe for grace, salvation, never-ending love? Imagine a similar conversation to the one I had as a bride with my mom:
Friend who doesn’t know Jesus: “Your life is so good, so happy. Can I have the recipe?”
Me: (Giggle) “Just open the pages of your Bible. It’s all right there.”
Wow. Right?
Chances are, someone won’t likely come up to you so readily and offer you the chance to share the recipe for eternal life in Christ. Am I allowing people to witness my life but not have access to the ingredients I know make up the best, most satisfying dish out there? Salvation.
I pray that God shows me each and every opportunity to pass along the not-so-secret recipe he’s shown me. And that I do so before someone has to ask for it.
Maybe through my writing (I pray). Maybe through my friendships (I pray). Maybe through my smiles to strangers (I pray).
But what more can I do? What can you do? May these holidays be full of recipe sharing of all kinds!
Teresa Tysinger, Author 