Making rice isn’t for the faint of heart. That’s because of the whole don’t lift the lid thing.
Watching my pot not boil, I have time to think. I’ve been studying my life, lately. Trying to determine self-worth against a fear of no-worth. Trying to remember to trust God.
I snicker, and Blu answers questioningly. If I’m standing here because I can’t trust the outcome of my rice, how can I trust Him on things bigger than potential burnt grain? I snicker again, and Blu huffs a sigh, curling back into cat-nap position.
Right. They’re two different things, aren’t they? Umm, are they?
This is what happens when I can’t lift the lid. I compulsively stay nearby for rescue and the sake of safety. Puttering around rearranging cabinets, wiping out drawers, my Fitbit faithfully paces steps in my galley kitchen.
A boil over would singe my last nerve tonight. After a 7-hour seasonal cleaning marathon, I’ve realized I’m not done, but my body is. Treadmill time doesn’t create kneel-stand-stretch-pull-bend endurance.
I gauge the roil. I re-read the instructions and unsurely determine its time to turn down the heat. The timer is active, but I am not.
I’m still standing there thru the simmer, and its not looking good. There seems to be too much water. At least that’s how it looks thru the lid. I’m determined not to burn. So, I wiggle the pot in lifted circles; ‘stirring’ within the rules, not lifting the lid. It’s not any clearer what’s going on in the there.
At 12 minutes, it suddenly is. Clearer. Now a slurry of milky roiling water and slightly swollen rice nubs, this feels like the dangerous part. The critical point where I really want to stir the pot. I swirl the pan again, and lament that nothing’s significantly moving. Then, it hits me: not much water – that’s a good thing, right?
At 9 minutes, I recant. Maybe its not going as planned, according to the assurances of preparation materials so blithely plastered on paper. 3 easy steps. Except for the don’t lift the lid part.
Guess that’s life though. Standing over a watched pot, hoping everything will become clearer once the process is complete.
6 min. Yeah. Life’s like that. Your focus has to be just right to see thru the condensation. Rivulets riot with your view. Concentration required comes with a headache from peering over the heated coil, red-face full of radiant heat.
3 minutes. I can still see simmering just below the surface of swollen bits. Ugh. There’s still liquid; disappointment.
2 minutes. Dear God. I hope this doesn’t burn. Technically, it’s not part of my Keto plan. I do reasonably plan to only eat small ¼ cup portions at 5 carbs each. 35 minutes of my life has now been poured into the procedure.
1 minute. A burn now would be a waste of a full 40 minutes, and waste even more time dealing with the mess.
I’m nervously watching the timer. 30 seconds.
It’s time to lift the lid away. Everything is fine, if ‘fine’ means slightly sticky rice.
Life’s like that. All about timing. Whether you’re waiting on rice or God.
The relief is nice, but short-lived. Success over shadowed by nausea, I quickly evaluate my situation, pull the pot from the heat, find a seat and dangle my head below my knees. All the extra effort, sweltering over the course of experience, worry and watching did not change the outcome.
Will I do it again? Probably. The same way? Probably, maybe. My treacherous mind still believes in the future possibility of failure. Which, directly connects to my Matthew 6:25-34 struggle. Not worrying seems irresponsible to me. But, that’s another blog.
Quote for the Week:
Enjoy this Week’s Discovery Links:
Rice: Cook Covered
Rice: Cook Uncovered
Rice: Cook Sticky (On Purpose)
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