Should I eat the last piece of pie in the house? It’s a small piece…and it’s homemade, strawberry pie.

I guess you should be aware of this: I did eat a piece of sugar creme pie for breakfast.

Of course, you should be aware of this too: Someone made this pie for us in the midst of a difficult time in order that we might enjoy it. So, it would almost be a “slap in the face”, a major insult to the person who made the pie if I did not indulge this desire to consume the last piece of pie in the house. 

Well, maybe you need to know this too: last night, I had a piece of key lime pie…and a piece of sugar creme pie…and a cupcake.

The prosperity Gospel tells me that God has blessed me with this pie. And, if I have the desire to eat it, I should eat it because God wants to grant me the desires of my heart. That seems pretty legit. I think I like this prosperity Gospel. God wants me to have the desires of my heart (and my stomach). Therefore, I should eat the pie. But, wait, what if there are holes in this whole “prosperity Gospel” thing?

Well, in that case, I could just be a Calvinist for the night…eat the pie and say that it was predestined…that I had no choice in the matter…God has ordered thing in such a way that it is His will…because, after all, He ordains all things…even my desire to eat that delicious piece of pie. So, if I eat the pie, I can rest in the knowledge that it was God’s will…that I could do nothing to resist this desire…and that it was all part of God’s plan to make me more dependent on Him. But, wait, what if there are some “catches” within the whole Calvinist/predestination thing?

Maybe I’m over-thinking this??? Maybe I should just eat the pie?

Of course, I could just be a sterotypical Methodist. I’ll eat the pie. I’ll enjoy the momentary joy and bliss that comes with each bite. Then, I’ll be overcome with guilt when I hear a sermon on Sunday about social justice and the least of these (who most likely are not eating a delicious slice of homemade, strawberry pie). In the midst of my guilt, I will ask for forgiveness. I’ll thank God for His grace (which has been present with me throughout this struggle…you know, the whole “prevenient grace” thing). In the midst of my relief that God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are available to all, I will proceed with life as usual…until I cross another difficult decision…like whether or not to eat the last candy bar in the house. 

By the way, while typing this, I paused to consume that piece of pie. Oh, what sweet joyful bliss!