Of all the marvels in modern technology, none is greater than the microwave oven! It has reduced the cooking time for a wide variety of foods dramatically. Many of us would be without hope for hot meals were it not for this precious gift of God. If I, Jeremy S Myers, am going to personally prepare food for human consumption, it will take place in a microwave a solid 90% of the time. I lack both the patience and the “know how” necessary to properly utilize a stove or conventional oven. For the most part, the microwave renders both unnecessary. I just throw what I want onto a plate, toss it in the microwave for 60 seconds or so, and “BAM!,” dinner is served!
Some things need more time to be properly prepared for consumption. Not everything is insta-ready.
A few months ago, I decided to venture outside my area of expertise and fired up the stove to make grilled cheese for the kids and myself. I mean, really, how hard could it be? I’d seen my wife, who is an amazing cook on all mediums, make them a hundred times. I am a well-educated, somewhat independent, adult man! I was confident my expertise and life experience had properly prepared me for the opportunity before me. I was wrong…
I made a quick google search for instructions, just for good measure, and went to work. I thoroughly buttered the bread, I centered the cheese between two slices, then I put them on the skillet on the stove.
After what felt like several minutes, I checked the progress. There was very little. So, I decided to move the process along a little. I increased the temperature; MAXED IT OUT. I figured if I just kept a careful eye on the food as it cooked, I could flip them before they burned, and we’d be eating in no time. I grossly overestimated my abilities. To say the sandwiches were burned would be an insult to all who have burned sandwiches before me. I have seen charcoal that looked more appetizing. After going through a whole loaf of bread, I learned a very important lesson; some things need more time to be properly prepared for consumption. Not everything is insta-ready.
We live in an insta-ready world. Cell phones, computers, and televisions provide us with access to more information than we can possibly process and the ability to share it all in a moment. There are numerous ways in which our access to information and communication is extremely helpful and positive. My wife and I have lived several hours from our families for most of our married lives. The ability to share what is going on in our lives and to see what is going on back home has allowed us to maintain and develop connections in real-time. We are able to share important moments as our children grow and develop. We are able to join in celebrations of victories and life-events for family and friends back home. We are able to mourn with those who are dealing with struggle or loss. Our ability to share and receive information in an instant has been and continues to be invaluable.
Just because we can say something, doesn’t mean we should. Just because we have information, doesn’t mean we’ve properly processed it. And, just because we have an opinion, doesn’t mean it needs to be shared.
There are dangers in our instant access to information and communication. It has resulted in many of us, myself included, saying things in very public forums that were not ready, or appropriate, for public consumption. Just because we can say something, doesn’t mean we should. Just because we have information, doesn’t mean we’ve properly processed it. And, just because we have an opinion, doesn’t mean it needs to be shared. We need to learn to slow ourselves down, to take a moment to allow our emotions to cool, or to allow some time for information to be interpreted. We need to allow the necessary time for our thoughts to be properly prepared so that we aren’t serving up burnt fare to our friends and family. All that does is incite the children to complain. And, if we’re honest with ourselves, there’s a child in each of us that’s none too happy about eating charred grilled cheese.
