Ketchup and syrup

Did you ever think that you have given your all to a situation, and it isn’t enough? I realized the other day that sometimes, what I have to give is like pouring ketchup on pancakes. I give what I have to give. But even if I give with all my heart, I can’t make ketchup taste like syrup. It isn’t necessarily about giving “enough.” Sometimes it is about the reality of ketchup vs syrup. Both are good, and both have a place. But few people would choose ketchup over syrup for pancakes. Made me think for a long time. I think I’ve poured a lot of ketchup in my life. 

It is the nature of grace always to fill spaces that have been empty.   ~  Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Comments(9)

  • October 23, 2013, 1:54 am  Reply

    I think I have too–great post–made me stop and think

    • October 23, 2013, 6:48 am

      Thank you! Yes, I’m still mulling it over. Can’t decide if it is a freeing epiphany or discouraging! But either way, truth is truth, no getting around reality. ~ Sheila

  • October 23, 2013, 4:35 am  Reply

    Wow, this certainly applies to a certain “in-law”; I will definitely remember this comparison; it will come in handy.

    • October 23, 2013, 6:46 am

      Good! Hope it helps! I hope it made sense! It really helped me to grasp why some efforts seem inadequate no matter how much energy and heart I pour out! And for me, it can apply to everything from projects to relationships. ~ Sheila

  • October 23, 2013, 3:38 pm  Reply

    oh my…food for though…it’s like…why do I keep on keeping on…
    but, maybe, just maybe …someone will like the ketchup over their pancakes instead of syrup!

    • October 28, 2013, 11:04 pm

      Hey, we all feel like that at times…just put one foot in front of the other! Well, I’m not holding out much hope that anyone will come around to preferring ketchup instead of syrup, but this analogy has helped me sort out a few things. ~ Sheila

  • October 27, 2013, 10:45 am  Reply

    What a picture you have created in my mind. Next time I am spinning my wheels in any task I can imagine asking myself, “Is this a ketchup moment?”. I do believe that simple question will help me stop when I should stop. thanks!

    • October 28, 2013, 11:01 pm

      Hey, so glad this is helpful to you! It was a light-bulb moment for me when this analogy came to me. Not sure if I feel better or worse to recognize that I’ve often offered ketchup when syrup was appropriate, but it does explain a lot! ~ Sheila

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