Thrum Thursday: Curds & Whey

For some reason, I've been thinking about the word whey for the last few days. How odd is that? For me, maybe you're thinking, not so much, but for most people - pretty weird. I can't remember how the word ended up getting lodged into my gray matter, but it's there, and I don't think there's any other thing to do except try to dig it out on my blog.

So - whey...Whey is a by-product of cheese making and is formed when curds separate from milk or cream. After the cheese curds are formed, the remaining liquid is called whey. It's watery and thin and can have a tinge of blue to it. But, even as unappetizing as it may look, whey is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is the base of many athletic protein drinks and can be an important diet supplement for those suffering from debilitating illnesses.

Hmmm...the by-product of a bigger process...the leftovers...to all appearances unappetizing...but is really good for you...

Makes me think of what I'm learning as my husband and I walk through leaving a church we've been with for a dozen years and trying to find a new place to worship, grow, and serve. There's a bigger process at work, for sure. God is dealing with each of us involved in very different ways - both those who are staying and and those who are going. We're each so unique and God is teaching and moving and changing us all...dealing with fear, idols, pride, sin. Every once in a while these days I get a glance at the bigger perspective of what's happening and am thankful God is God and I'm not.

And the word 'leftover' has a significant meaning to me, too. Our church is moving on...as it should. Our pastor is moving on...as he should. And somewhere in the middle there are those of us who feel 'left.' Like the children of a divorce, I suppose, when each parent is moving on to new relationships. Several people have likened what's happened to a divorce or a death. I guess I'd have to agree. But sometimes leftovers are even better than the meal was the first time around. (I think of chicken-n-dumplings, in particular!) I try to remember that...perhaps we are all being seasoned in a way that couldn't have happened before, absorbing the juices of life, the wisdom, and integrating what we've learned into our souls. Giving us 'weight', as Tim Keller said in a sermon I heard this past January in New York.

So - to all appearances this seems very unappetizing...that there could be no good thing in all this yuck. But, oh how wrong that thinking is! I could make a long list of all the good I've seen already...in my life, my children, my husband's, my friends', but I won't. I'll just say that with me, God has shown me the idol I've had of a particular church body, shown me my prideful arrogance in thinking this one church is the only place He is working in our community. For that I've had to repent. A lot.

It may be a hard to drink, but this particular cup of whey is helping to heal this particular person who is sick with the debilitating illness of a sinful heart.