I have never been of fan of grits.
Most of my life (even still now) I have been a picky eater. Texture is key to me not liking a lot of foods. Onions, I can’t eat them. Love the flavor they give things, but their texture is just not appealing. Mushrooms. Again a texture thing. Tomatoes=texture. Now, I love tomato products, just not the source. Then there are foods that I just don’t like the smell, so I won’t eat them. (I am very much and eight year old when it comes to my palate.) Then there are other things. I have a gluten allergy. My head a stomach tend to hurt a lot once I consume things with gluten. It runs in my family. My brother had Celiacs. Also, after recent blood test from the doctor, I found out that I am pre-diabetic. Basically, I have to cut out all sugars and starches and exercise for 30 minutes, 5 days a week to better ensure myself of not becoming diabetic. Now grits. Grits I don’t eat just cause of the sound….grrrrrrrits. It doesn’t sound good even if you whip out your best Tony the Tiger voice. Now most of the things I dislike are vegetables. The foods that just happen to be good for me I dislike, unless they are prepared for my liking.
Today I attended the House of Blues Gospel Brunch in Los Angeles.
This was glorious! We were ushered in at exactly 10am and taken to are seats right by the stage. The excitement was great. We passed a plethera of food. Our usher was explaining very quickly where everthing was, that we could start eating and that a server would be around for drink orders. For a second I just stood there not knowing what to do. Do I set down my purse and go get food? Do I take it with me? Do I let everyone else go first and go when they get back? Where do I start? Where is the omlette stain? How many people are in here? How long do we have to eat? What should I get BBQ ham or slow roasted roast beef? Do I try the cheesy grits?
In a matter of only seconds these questions went through my head, and I head straight for the first station with a plate. At this station I encountered the grits. I didn’t even hesitate, I just got some. (I am a firm believer that if some has cheese in it, there is no way that it can be all that bad.) One hour, and about 5 or 6 plates later, we began to here music playing behind the quilted stage curtains.
The top of the balcony opened up and cocktail napkins began to decend on us from everyone eating up stairs. (It was done on purpose). The gospel choir began singing and Erinn, Chelsea, and myself were up and dancing. I just can’t help but move when there is a beat. Ray (the lead singer) asked, “Are you here for a good time?” Then when we the audience responded with clapping Ray said, “Cause we are here for some God Time.” Then woots and clapping grew louder. And the song began:
My God can do anything.
He’s got the power.
The Holy Ghost power.
My God can do anything
He healed the sick
He raised the dead
5,000 hungry souls were fed.
He makes a way out of no way.
He’ll turn your darkness into day.
God’s got the power.
Yes, he’s got the power.
At that moment the Spirit entered our midst. My guess is that not a lot of people there were believers. Most of them come for food and entertainment. There are only about six or seven people up on their feet dancing. I felt led by the Lord to look around the room. As I did, I saw people not even paying attention. They were talking, eating there food, going back up to the bar for the all you can drink mimosas and bloody marys. Maybe they were looking at it more like a show, and not a chance to worship God. Maybe gospel music has a weird texture for them. Maybe they just don’t like the sound of it. Maybe they like the message it gives, but not the package in which it comes. Maybe they like church, they like Jesus, but not in a setting like this.
I am always amazed by us as humans and as christian to compartmentalize things. I have often been the one to attend a service and leave there going, “that was boring.” or, “it was good but I didn’t like the worship”, or “I liked the worship, but not the speaker.” It isn’t what I would do, but it was good. To often I see something that is different then what I am use to and look for a reason not to like it, or have God speak to me through it. I know I am not the only “christian” who does that. It is something that I am continually trying to overcome. I think that is why I was asked to look around the room. To see how ridiculous I was, when I do the same thing. God doesn’t fit into one perticular style of worship better then another. Worshiping God fits into any style we give it. Even when we don’t want Him there He is there. Just cause we don’t like it doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Sometimes, you have to try something more then once to know if you like it. You have to acquire a taste.
Today, I aquired a taste for cheesy grits.
