What “Tasty Love Story” Means to Me

Voting for “Tasty Love Story,” the Jingles for Pringles contest video, began two weeks ago and this morning I finally discovered that…we didn’t win the grand prize. I say “we didn’t win” because there is no way I could have made this without the help of my friends, especially Caitlin and Dave who did such an amazing job in front of the camera. I don’t think the jingle would have even made it to the finals without their likable faces.

On a deeper level I have to say that I never would have had the guts to write an original song, perform it, and film the video for anyone to see without God changing my life in the last three months. In December I created a folder on my computer labeled “Believe.” I made it because I wanted to start writing songs again and make other creative works. Where would I save those files? Yes, in my “Believe” folder, because I’ve found that creating something can be a very scary thing.

One of my favorite song writers was Rich Mullins. Rich is quoted to have said, “I have all these songs in me it’s just a matter of having the courage to bring them out.” I never understood what Rich was talking about until recently. I’m not even sure I can explain why there would be such fear over creating something. Is it because a song or creative work is a small part of who you are? Does it display a bit of what goes on in your heart that no one else can see? Is it just the fear that you others will not understand it or criticize it? Does it confirm the fear that you’re just not very talented? I would start to write songs then not finish them. I didn’t believe that I had the talent…the creativity…the strength… to make something good.

In December I started reading a book that a friend recommended me “Attachments: Why You Love, Feel, and Act the Way You Do.” The book helped me to see that much of the anger, disappointment, lack of peace, and frustration I had experienced for the last six years was do to the devastating fear that I was worthless and unworthy of love from anyone. Seeing this fear clearly and taking it to Jesus who says that I am holy, loved, precious, forgiven, and made worthy of His love by His death, burial, and resurrection started making dramatic changes in my life. I began to pray and pray that God would humble my very prideful heart, that He would help me to receive His love and change me. When a close friend dist me, it was hard, but I began to see that what fueled the pain was my fear. When I stopped believing the lie that I was worthless and started believing the truth that I have worth I found I could forgive and move on.

God began to work other things in my heart as well. I stopped living in the past and worrying about the future as I learned to focus on the fact that Jesus is with me in the present moment. I began to have a greater sense of contentment with everything in my life: what I have materially, my friends, everything. I began to love and serve others better as I stopped thinking about how much better I am than everyone else. Time spent alone stopped being sad and lonely because Jesus is always there and He always gives me what I need. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.” This verse really blew my mind. Why be discontent with being one of the poorest people I know when I God provides groceries, rent, gas money, and more? Why be discontent with having a few close friends when those friends are so amazing and God meets my relational needs through them?

So when I heard Ryan Seacrest announce on American Idol that there was a Pringles’ jingle contest I knew I wanted to try to enter it, not because I think anyone should ever eat processed foods, but because I wanted to see if I could actually do it. And honestly, I wanted to win the trip to L.A. to see the season finale too! As soon as my friends left my apartment I went to my room, closed the door, grabbed my guitar and immediately came up with part of the music and melody. It was still a struggle for me to believe I could make something good. I didn’t have the song finished and I was dragging my feet. I finally asked some friends to help with the filming, scheduled a time to film, and managed to finally finish the song!

“Tasty Love Story” made it to the finals, which was so totally exciting for me. I wasn’t terribly confident it would make it that far in the competition, but I had hope. It was really fun to see how excited my friends where for me and how much people got into getting the vote out.

I consider it a great gift from God to be able to enjoy my friend’s encouragement, to receive love from Him and my friends, and to see how I have grown in confidence, joy, faith, peace, and love. Since we made “Tasty Love Story” I’ve helped my thirteen-year-old niece make a video for a school presentation, lead worship at an intern training conference, made a crazy video for a dear friend’s birthday, gave a talk to student’s at CU, and even asked a girl, who was out of my league, out on a date! I know I wouldn’t have done any of these without the changes God has made in my heart.

In my thirty two years on earth, ten years of full-time ministry, and twelve years of knowing Jesus I have become convinced that life is not about keeping rules and traditions, but is about learning how to receive love and love others well. It’s about Jesus. It’s Jesus’ truth, love and grace given to me the weak, sinful, and fearful that transforms me to serve, love, and create.