Popcorn, Marriage and God

Have you all tried the Chicago Mix popcorn that Costco sells? O. M. G.!!! It’s a mix between cheddar cheese and caramel flavored popcorns—can it get any better?

But after some wrangling between my husband and I, for our favorites in the bag, it finally dawned on me that this treat might be a great metaphor to a God filled marriage.

Photo: Renae Bowman

Sweet vs. Savory

We all have a unique palate—we’ll always lean towards one taste or the other. Oh sure you can blend flavors every now and then, but soon you’re sitting there picking out just the ones you like.

And that’s the beauty of it; he likes his flavor, I like mine—a match made in heaven right there in that bag of corn.

That is exactly what God tells us to do in our marriage, doesn’t he?  Quit complaining about the small differences; instead embrace each other’s palate choices. Bring to the marriage what is ours exclusively, but learn to adapt the two together.

The truth is all people are different, each gifted by God in various and dissimilar ways. 1 Corinthians 7:7

Industrial Size Bag

Really, who wants to share an individual bag of anything? When the contents are 99% air, each morsel is important, aren’t they? Those smaller bags just don’t leave room for full enjoyment. But this bag of corn—well it stands as high as a small toddler. Perfect! There’s enough for him and enough for me.

So, go big or go home. I mean choose to say you’re all in with your marriage. Grab the industrial size of, want to work on your marriage—through the good and through the bad. Don’t settle for small portions. Don’t settle for 99% of air—fill your marriage to the brim with substance.

Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ … husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Ephesians 5:22, 25

Pantry Food

The preservatives in this bag of goodness mimic that which keeps nuclear survival food fresh for centuries. It’s pantry food. It’s meant to sit in dark cupboards for months on end. The spoilage factor isn’t even on the chart. It’s sustainable.

And our marriages—aren’t they meant to last?   Shouldn’t we be adding God’s blessing as the ultimate preservative to up the chances of survival?

Therefore, what God has joined together, let man not separate. Matthew 19:6

Messy Fingers

I am the cheddar cheese chooser. That means when my fingers come out of the bag, orange is the new flesh. A bit of licking helps, but soap and water is needed to really clean up. Lets face it; dipping into one of these bags leaves us messy.

Isn’t that so the case with marriage? Who doesn’t have issues? Who doesn’t have fights and disagreements? Who doesn’t get all messed up with the day-to-day things between husband and wife? Yet we have a God who reinforces the mantra—forgiveness. And reminds us it is the key in ANY relationship—it is the soap and water that helps clean up many a mess. We should all use it a bit more often.

Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times? “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21-22

Refills

So Costco is here to stay. But Chicago Mix on the shelves necessarily isn’t. You know Costco—they cancel items without warning. But I have strategically written down the manufacturer of this corn just in case I need to go directly to the factory (don’t doubt me on this!!).

Our marriages need help. Our differences need help. We need refillable packaging straight from the manufacturer. When we entrust our marriages to God alone, he becomes that which refills us daily. He becomes the source of our love, and through him we become better spouses. When the bag is empty, we know Who to go to. When it feels we need more, we know Who to go to. When the contents seem stale, we know Who to go to.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. John 15:4

Believe it or not, I could go on with more. The lessons are many. Marriages take conscious effort to thrive.  Why not a bag of popcorn to figure it out? Mine is far from perfect but it’s a union I know God has blessed. I pray you keep God at the center of yours. I pray you seek to be a great spouse first. And I pray you see humor in popcorn bags … God uses the strangest things for lessons.

Happy crunching!