Do you have anything on the back burner, the place where we let hopes and dreams simmer until the time is right for them?
My “back burner” dream was writing. I loved being a mother and homemaker. I enjoyed being actively involved in church ministries. Just when my “nest” was emptying, we cared for my mother-in-law for several years. It seemed writing usually had to take a back seat to other needs.
Even though a woman has looked forward to being a mother all her life and delights in her child, some days she feels she is accomplishing nothing beyond wiping noses, changing diapers, and reading Dr. Seuss all day. She longs to do something “important.” Certain intellectual and creative pursuits have to be put on the back burner because there are only so many hours in the day. But those everyday ministrations are just as important as any grand endeavor.
College students full of zeal to go out and change the world sometimes chafe at their time of training, wondering if it’s really needed.
Olympic athletes put aside many pursuits in order to train and compete while they can.
Business men and women lay aside some interests in order to gain seniority and experience to get the next promotion.
Newlyweds may have to postpone getting their dream house until they get more financially stable.
Caring for elderly parents may require that some of our dreams remain on the back burner a little longer.
However, what kinds of foods stay on the back burner for a long time? Soups or stews that become all the richer for their long simmer. Meats tenderize, vegetables soften, flavors blend, broth thickens. The smells waft through the house, igniting our appetites.
We can give that pot a stir every now and then. In my case, I had the opportunity to write a few newspaper and magazine articles as well as a ladies’ newsletter at church. Having to wait to redo certain rooms gave me time to research and dream about what I wanted. Reading books, taking classes, jotting down ideas, and talking with others about our dreams can help prepare us for the time when we can pursue them.
We don’t need to get discouraged if others seem to have all their burners going at once, accomplishing things right and left. I used to lament that I couldn’t do as much as some women until I finally came to grips with the fact that God made us with different capacities, abilities, and personalities.
The back burner is not the place to foster excuses or procrastination. Not “getting around to” some tasks is a different thing from placing them on the back burner. We need to seek the Lord’s wisdom as to whether we’re postponing due to fear, laziness, or distractions, or whether certain pursuits are not His timing yet.
There may be some things God wants us to relinquish completely, and here our back burner analogy breaks down. There are some things He never intended for us to pursue, and we have to set aside what was a personal desire that was not His will. We have to remind ourselves that, no matter how strong and even good a desire was, if it is not God’s will, it would not have been good for us. That desire may actually have been harmful and taken away from what He did have for us to do.
Missionary Jim Elliot said, “Wherever you are, be all there.” We don’t just stand and watch those pots on the back burner: we get other things done while we wait. Maybe we can’t write a bestselling book, but we can send a note of encouragement to someone. Maybe a family can’t get to the mission field until their training is done, but they can minister to their neighbors and coworkers. Maybe a couple can’t take a European tour, but they can plan a weekend getaway to a nearby destination.
If I had known that it was going to be just as hard to make time to write with an “empty nest” as it was when the house was full, I might have pushed a little harder to write earlier. Then again, maybe, hopefully, those years of waiting have enriched what I have to share now.
May God give us wisdom, patience, and guidance to know when our back burner dreams are “just right” and ready to serve.
Do you have anything on the back burner now? Have you had a back burner dream that was made better by waiting?
Revised from the archives.
(I often link up with some of these bloggers.)
Stray Thoughts 
Thank you for your encouragement to keep dreaming and simmering.
I think C. S. Lewis has a quote about never being too old to dream new dreams. I’m so glad!
As we wait, what a wonderful world he lets us wait in as the seasons remind with their beauty. As the Christmas season approaches, we have the reminder of the greatest gift of all that we await, The Son. Happy Sunday.
That’s so true. He gives us great things to see, do, and think about while we wait.
Love this message! Thank you. Sometimes those things on the back burner are better because they have rested a while. 🙂 Blessings.
Yes, they are. That reminds me of bread dough–it has to rest a while to rise like it needs to.
The fact that somethings we put on the back burner may not be His best for us. That really spoke to me. Great post.
Putting things on the backburner can be a way for us to realize whether that’s really what we want for ourselves. Is it worth waiting for? I’ve often had to ask myself. These days it seems like most of my dreams are on the backburner and I don’t even know how often to stir or taste or season the things on a slow simmer. Trying to trust the Lord for his timing and grace. Thanks for this comforting and encouraging word.
I had not thought of that angle, but it’s true. As I get older and realize there’s not time for everything, it helps to clarify what the best pursuits are. I always wanted to learn how to play an instrument–not to play in front of anyone else, but just to express myself that way. But to practice enough that I would enjoy playing would take time from other things I want to do more. So I sing around the house and enjoy listening to recorded music.
As always, you’ve given me a lot to think about. I’m not good at putting things on the back burner–if I want to do something or feel I should, I want to start yesterday! But your analogy about flavors becoming richer etc when waiting are good. And I totally understand that some things can’t be done right away. Hmmmmm.
I like this analogy, Barbara. Sometimes things burn on the back burner when the heat is turned up too high, too! Patience and wisdom is necessary. I’ll be pondering if I have some “not getting around to it” on my back burner due to my own transgressions. They may be simmering dry and just need some stirring up!
Beautiful essay! You are writing so don’t forget to include blogging as a great way you create, engage, and connect with others.
Personally, I shifted gears many times, using occupations and avocations to transform myself through the years.
Life is an adventure and I do my best to go with it. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health
I’m not an adventurous person, but God has taken me on a few unexpected adventures in life. 🙂 It’s true that our interests and occupations change through life. I haven’t changed them deliberately, but between moves and life experiences, I’ve found myself in different types of ministry in different places. I can’t imagine doing some things now that I did in my twenties and thirties–I don’t have the energy! 🙂
Thanks for the encouragement about blogging. Even if I never write an actual book, God has given me such a wonderful ministry here.
What a great message! Yes, I think it does take wisdom and listening to the Lord for the timing on things. But, you are so right about it being just as hard to find time with kids as it is in an empty nest. I guess we just always fill our time with something.
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Your post made me wonder if the Lord does not place us on the back burner at times for our good and with purpose. “Then again, maybe, hopefully, those years of waiting have enriched what I have to share now.” Indeed they may have just done that. Keep sharing, Barbara, you have much wisdom for us all to learn from!
I’m thankful you are able to write so regularly now, Barbara. Amen to this: “May God give us wisdom, patience, and guidance to know when our back burner dreams are ‘just right’ and ready to serve.”
What a perfect title to call one’s attention! We all have them. This is one of my features for SSPS #385. Thank you for sharing with us!
Thanks so much, Melynda!