The Sacred Messiness of Spaghetti and Discipleship

Teaching a toddler to wield silverware—a seemingly simple task—can feel like embarking on an epic adventure. It’s chaotic, messy, and, let’s be honest, often a little exasperating. If you've ever found yourself at the mercy of a spaghetti dinner with a determined two-year-old, you know exactly what I mean.

The other night, as I sat at the table with Kennedi, I braced myself for the challenge. Spaghetti was on the menu, and the mission was clear: teach her how to eat with a fork. Again and again, the spaghetti slipped from her fork, falling to the floor or landing in a tangle on her lap. Sometimes, she managed to get it close to her mouth, only for the sauce to smear triumphantly across her cheeks. But oh, the sheer joy when she succeeded! Her little cheer, the rhythmic banging of her fork on the high chair, and the sauce flying like confetti—it was a beautiful mess, a celebration of progress, however small.

As I cleaned up the aftermath, I couldn’t help but reflect on a profound truth. In Matthew 28, Jesus gives his disciples a command: “Go into all the world, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say, “Teach them what to believe,” or “Ensure they understand every nuance of theology.” Instead, He says, “Teach them to obey.” In essence, teach them how to follow.

And that, my friends, is where the spaghetti meets the soul.

Teaching someone to follow Jesus is a lot like teaching a toddler to use silverware. It’s messy. It’s nuanced. It requires patience, grace, and a deep well of compassion. People will drop the “spaghetti” of obedience, stumble in their walk, and sometimes make a mess of things. And if we’re honest, we’re no different—we’re still learning to follow Jesus ourselves.

As disciples of Christ, we’re called to walk alongside others with empathy and understanding. Yes, there are moments for correction, and addressing sin is vital. But more often than not, our role is to stand in the gap between where someone is and where God is calling them to be.

So, let’s embrace the sacred messiness of discipleship. Let’s extend patience that reflects heaven’s grace, compassion that mirrors the heart of Christ, and a joyful commitment to journeying with others, even when it’s frustrating.

Because every time someone takes a step closer to Jesus—whether it’s messy or triumphant—it’s worth celebrating, just like a toddler’s victorious forkful of spaghetti.