The Sugar Cookie Saga

The Sugar Cookie Saga
Broken Cookies Are Useful and Wonderful!

 I had a wonderful plan! It was only a small part of my Christmas goodies plan, but I fully expected it to be a spectacular part of the table. I imagined the little pies stacked neatly on a lovely tiered stand, filled with chocolatey goodness. It would be wonderful, just like I planned. (Recognize those famous last words?)

I started my plan from the ground up, or crust up as the case may be. I divided up the sugar cookie dough into small pecan-size balls, coated them with sugar and pressed them into the tiny muffin tins. They looked just perfect. 

Sugar cookie stubbornness.

The trouble started in the oven. They mushroomed out far beyond the limits I had discussed with them, but finally settled into a reasonable compromise. I am a seasoned baker, so I knew they would need to cool slightly so they wouldn't fall apart coming out of the tins. 

After a few minutes, they were cool enough to touch, so I began the careful surgical extraction of my little sugar cookie pie crusts. The first one put up a fight, but these things happen even to the most seasoned bakers, so I persevered on to number two. This little guy fell apart too. So did numbers three, four and on and on. Apparently in the oven, they cooked up a conspiracy.

No pie crust here.

Rather than give up entirely (after all I had a Christmas goodie table to prepare and I am a seasoned baker) I implemented plan B. I took the little conspirators and pressed them into a glass pie dish to form a single pie crust. They weren't having any of it. With that many holes in any "crust" I could read the "this is going to be a mess" writing on the wall. Time for this seasoned baker to find a plan C.

Sometimes rather than force my plan to work when it obviously isn't, I have the wisdom (sometimes) to go with what is working (sometimes.) I have sixty years under my belt and wisdom does pop up sometimes. This time I sought it out, and found it waiting right under my nose, well, on my kitchen counter.

They are sugar cookies, an unruly lot, but sugar cookies nonetheless. The chocolate mousse, and whipped cream awaited their company. So, I layered the crumbs, mousse, and whipped cream into a clear glass bowl and topped it with some more crumbs and chocolate hazelnut star cookies. It was lovely and delicious.

~ What God taught me in this process ~

Be Patient. 

When explaining the gospel, or encouraging someone in the faith, I must be patient. 

They have a place in the kingdom, and I can't push them into my preconceived notion of where that might be, or bully them into submission. 

We are all a little broken.

Persevere. 

Don't give up when it seems your plan might be futile. 

Even if they resist, try again. 

Even the most seasoned have to learn new ways of completing the task, 

especially when dealing with brokenness.

Pray. 

Even though I may be seasoned in teaching and encouraging others in the faith, 

God may have a plan that I might not have considered. 

He gives wisdom to those who ask. 

Point to Him. 

The project did not have to be my vision of tiny bite-size pies to be successful. 

It was completely successful as one big bowl of chocolatey goodness 

with sugar cookie crumbles and whipped cream deliciousness. 

He uses my brokenness, and yours too, to make us beautiful and fruitful, 

even before we see the outcome.

Dear Father,

Thank You for your patience with me as I try to do things my way so often. Thank You for loving me enough to place adversity in my path, so I will learn to persevere and look to You even more. That will always be my ultimate goal ~ to draw nearer to You.

I ask that You give an extra dose of patience and perseverance to me and the one reading this right now, that we will remember to both call upon You and point others to You even in the midst of our struggle.

I pray in Jesus' name,

Amen.

What is your struggle today? Can you (will you) apply this to your circumstance? Have you found this to be true in your walk? Please leave your comment below. It might be the encouragement someone needs today! 

Click here for more about me

If you have a chance, please check out these books with more faith-filled stories. I pray they will be an encouragement to you in your walk.

Blessings to you, friend! 

    

Click here to see The Wisdom Tree on Amazon.com

Click here to see
(the true story of)
Oscar The Extraordinary Hummingbird on Amazon.com

A Cuckoo Conversation

Unhappy Cuckoo

I never had been formally introduced to a cuckoo (bird, that is) before today. This meeting was not one of niceties, but of necessity.  

This one made a bad decision; a really bad decision. He flew into a garage. Mind you, that in itself isn’t such a bad thing – unless you don’t know the way out. He didn’t.

After a long while of avoiding his rescuer and trying to fly out of the ceiling and knocking down the garage door rails, he tired enough for my husband (you will remember Mr. Tall Dark & Handsome) to nab him.

Mr. TD&H presented his catch to me wrapped in a chamois, from said garage.  Mr. Cuckoo was a mess. His bloodied little head told me he butted against walls with all his little bird strength to find his way out. A closer inspection (much to his disliking) revealed that his little head feathers were broken off at the nub. Just a guess but, he might have a stubborn streak.

Once a rehabber, always a rehabber (you may remember my adventure with Oscar the extraordinary hummingbird, baby blue birds…) I gathered supplies. Rubber gloves, paper towels, water, aloe were my initial tools for this job.

We found a spot in the shade and started to work. From the look in his eyes he didn’t appreciate it one little bit, but he needed attention so, I took the end of a paper towel and wet it to clean his bloody head. His protests quieted so the cool water must have been some comfort. After a few dabs I found no lacerations, so I finished cleaning and applied a little aloe for healing.

With him safely wrapped like a chamois cuckoo burrito, and turned him over. There were no other obvious wounds. His screams of protest began again when he was upright. I can’t give you an exact translation because I am not fluent in Cuckoo. I can tell you if Mommy Cuckoo was listening, he may be in for a “washing of the beak!” The video only includes his "nice words."

We found him well enough to try for a release. With his patience with me drawing to an end, I took a picture. Notice his "sweet smile?" Stubborn and unhappy. 

We no more than unwrapped his burrito than off he flew. No thank you. No tender good-byes. Off to the nearest tree and life as before. He may have some explaining to do about his head injury but, should be fine.

If the little guy had used a helmet – he could have avoided his injury. I am sorry he had such a rough day. Because he didn’t listen when Mr. TD&H tried to explain the way out for him, he probably wouldn’t have listened to me either. We did what we could in light of his situation. It is up to him whether or not he learned any lessons.

The same is true for us. The helmet of salvation protects us from injury to our heads. Indeed our enemy wants to get in there and bloody us up with false teachings. He is the father of lies and will do his best to fill our heads with them – unless we have our helmet.

Things I learned

• Without God, we are likely to go places and be found in situations that cause us harm and from which we can’t find our way out.
• When (Christian) help comes, it would be beneficial to listen.
• When offering help (Truth) to one in distress, you may encounter screams of protest. Be willing to wait and offer Truth anyway. Earnestly contend for the faith.
• When offering Truth you must be prepared for both reception and rejection. Offer Truth anyway.
• When you give life-saving Truth to one and they reject it today, it may open a door to another day. Don’t be discouraged – one plants, another waters – God gives the increase.
• If you reject the Truth, you can expect to make harmful decisions over and over again.

If you see a little guy who looks like this,
 tell him I said "hi!" and he is
welcome to come back and visit,
and finish our conversation.

Cuckoos are considered “brood parasites.” They often lay their eggs in another’s nest. If you find a cuckoo in your nest,

• Take care of them as if they are your own.
• Teach them the Truth.
• Give them access to a helmet.
• Realize – the decision is theirs.

“Stand firm therefore,

HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH,

and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION

OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 

in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith

with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION,

and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God. “

Ephesians 6:14-17

  

Dear Father in heaven,

I confess that I was just like this little bird, lost without a clue how to get out of my sin. Thank You for Your patience and love toward me while I was still flying on my own.

Father, it was Your love that provided my escape from sin. Your love paid a price above comprehension to rescue me from the eternity that I deserved. Thank You for your provision for eternity and Your provision for today. I especially thank You for Your Word that lights the path for my feet, that I will not stumble or stray.

I pray for all those reading this right now, that they will know You and know of Your love for them. Make Yourself known to them in a real and personal way today. Help them to see the need for You and help me find ways to minister to those who need to hear.

I am so thankful that You have provided all I need for the battle while I am here on earth. I trust You with my today and my eternity.

I pray in the precious name of Jesus, my Rescuer and Redeemer, 

amen.

Click here for more about me.

For more faith-filled stories, including a hummingbird I named Oscar read the first chapter of our story here.

Crepe Myrtles and the Hanging Basket Problem

Hanging basket supported by young twigs.

It wasn’t the crepe myrtle’s fault at all! I simply asked too much when I tried to hang the basket from its’ limb.  

That is where I always hang my winter baskets, so I didn’t question the location. It is a prime spot where we can see them coming in and out of the house.

Their summer home is under the maple tree canopy where they enjoy the shade, and we enjoy their summer bloomers. Even in Alabama, it gets too cold to sit under the trees, so the summer bloomers are replaced with pansies and are strategically placed for our indoor viewing.

So, the transition time came and my annual swapping of the flowers took place - impatiens out, pansies in.  They were carefully arranged around some perennials that are permanent residents. (Well, sort of permanent.  If they struggle, they are relocated. If they don’t bloom they are relocated. If they take over they are relocated. If they die, well, you get the point.)

A lovely focal point for the winter hanging baskets is on three crepe myrtles grouped in a cluster along our patio. They are a gorgeous watermelon red/pink variety that have been in place for over twenty years and never failed to impress. Problem number one was that they had grown so much that their blooms were so high in the air, we couldn’t really enjoy them.

Problem solved this past spring when my very own Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome trimmed their little trunks down to proper level. (He is a handy helper to have around, as my trimming days are LONG gone.) He whittled them down to a more manageable size. In response, they sprouted new growth. By the time their summer blooming season came, they were able to show out (Southern for doing more than expected) right down here where we could enjoy every ruffled pink blossom. They were a lovely sight.

I encountered problem number two as I tried to find a place for the winter hangers. The sturdy crepe myrtle trunks were now far too low to keep their bottoms dry (I wouldn’t want a soggy bottom, would you?) and the new growth from them was far too tender to hold the baskets.  So, with some creativity, I wrestled the hooks over medium sized limbs and anchored the hook against small twig growth so it wouldn’t slide down. Problem solved! I was so proud of my young crepe limbs for holding up under their new job description! This was their first rodeo uhm, year, after all.

Then I watered them.

You see, you can only ask so much of a young limb, before it breaks. Down came the basket, all the flowers, and half the soil. So, I “repacked” the basket and tried again to find a limb strong enough to hold it. Finally, I found the stub of a trunk that had several small saplings sprouting up that were in just the right spot to support the basket when I hung it on a medium sized limb. Ta dah!

You have probably seen the same thing happen. Maybe not by asking too much of crept myrtle limbs, but asking too much of someone who did not have the strength and experience to hold up under the extra burden.  These young limbs seemed suited for the job. But broke in the “storm” of sudden watering. They didn’t have the strength and experience of weathering storms to hold up under the strain. It took an experienced limb to bear the load and young ones were able to group together and support it.

If you are praying about taking a job, or assigning a job to someone, here are some things to remember…

• When we are too tall, we might be cut back to size.

• Just because you are part of a strong limb doesn’t mean you can do the job of the limb. Grow first.

• Just because we bloom well one place doesn’t mean we can bloom there all year. Expect to be moved according to His timing.

• Sometimes you may be the main bloomer, other times you need to rest and gather strength for next season.

• Youth does not trump experience.

• The Master Gardener will only give a load to the limbs that can bear them.

• Be willing to be used in a supporting role until you have the strength to withstand the storm.                                                                                       

• Expect storms.

• Trust God to bring you through storms and give you strength for His next assignment for you.

Father in heaven,

We are so thankful for Your Creation all around us that teaches us so much about our lives and purpose.  We see Your hand at work and know that You have not abandoned us or forgotten us. Your truth is still working and is a great comfort to us in a turbulent world today.

Help us to recognize our purpose, our calling, our mission. Help us to learn and grow daily to be strong and courageous for the jobs You give us.

Give us strength and patience to support those we need to support and to bear the load you give us, knowing You will cause the blooming in proper season.

Thank You for the beauty of nature and reminding us of Your hand at work all around us.

How about you? Waiting? Growing? Burdened under a heavy load?

Interested in more stories of faith? Read

Oscar the Extraordinary Hummingbird 

and 

Other Tales From Life In My Father's World

available on
Amazon -
http://www.amazon.com/Oscar-Extraordinary-Hummingbird-Other-Fathers/dp/1490882197/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1434117054&sr=1-1

Westbow Press -http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-000990255/Oscar-the-Extraordinary-Hummingbird.aspx

Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/oscar-the-extraordinary-hummingbird-lisa-worthey-smith/1122075111?ean=9781490882178

Baby Bluebirds Time to Spread Your Wings!

Baby on bottom, Indigo above. "No I will NOT take one step to get the worm!"

They have come a long way in the few days since they were left alone to die. You may remember from previous blogs about the baby bluebirds that I came to call Indigo and Baby, that they were unconscious and near death when I took over ‘mommy-duty”.  

That first day they were too weak to take or even desire nourishment, so I stayed with them and poured just a drop (of worm soup) at a time until they gained strength.  Then, when they realized I was helping them, they began to accept what they were hungry for after all – yummy delicious mealworms! Mealworm shakes, mealworm soup, mealworm delight, mealworm deluxe, mealworm casserole was the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At first they were only able to take them softened, but gradually they advanced to crunch them up on their own.

I was delighted to call them to the table with our own secret little dinner-bell chirp that they taught me. I doubt I ever perfected it, but they acknowledged my efforts with raised heads and open mouths – thus I knew it was the “dinner’s ready” song.

Because I knew they were terribly weak, I took each little morsel to an upraised beak. I guess humans aren’t the only ones who can be spoiled. Indigo and Baby learned that is all they had to do, so that is all they did; sit, sleep, wake at the dinner bell/tweet and raise their little heads for delivery.

I knew they had gained strength because I purposely placed them different places in their container for cleaning and inspection purposes and minutes later they were in different places. Sneaky aren’t they? They also were beginning to spread their pretty little wings a bit in kind of a sweet little bird-yawn with a yoga stretch.

Baby's (bottom) indignant face tells all.
Indigo above - closed his eyes
in defiance.

Baby’s naked spots are now covered with fuzz and baby feathers and Indigo is quite the handsome bird with dark blue markings on his newly sprouted wing feathers. Even though it was apparent they are outgrowing being hand fed, they still like it and pretend they don’t see the worms I toss beside them. Sometimes they even turn around and poop on them. No lack of communication there. They are hungry, but want ME to feed them what they were perfectly capable of getting themselves. So, we had a talk. Well, I talked, they closed their little bird eyes.

So, I put them in a flower pot (snack shack) thinking a different location might inspire them to look around a bit more and sneak an ant or cricket snack. They hid under the plants. I tried to get them to just hop over to me and get their dinner from my hand. They stood firm. I tried holding the worm just out of reach so they would only have to take one little step. They stood firm.  I tried holding the worm so they would have to lean to one side, the little birds only squawked louder at my poor aim.

Bluebirds are notoriously stubborn. I have watched Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird trying to tempt their little ones out of nests before with a nice green worm, then take it away saying “if you are hungry then come and get it”. It was cute when they were donig it, but is is not so cute now that it is my turn. That may be why this Mr. and Mrs. B left these last two in the nest. They may have had their hands uhm, feet full with the other two. Even after they can fly, Mom and Dad still have to teach them where to find food and what proper food is – for weeks! Yes, I was beginning to see my job get a lot harder. Time to call in reinforcements.

Baby and Indigo refusing to lean
to get the worm from my hand.

Rehabbers (wildlife rehabilitators) always know other rehabbers, so I got in touch with some, and found a perfect place for these young ones to learn and grow and be released. As much as I enjoyed helping them be established, it was time for them to grow up and get out into the world.

It is the same with Christians - growing up that is. We each were introduced to the gospel before we knew we needed it. Each believer was taught and nourished by the Word, likely by someone hand feeding us. Many of us stay there however, and never really search the Word of Truth ourselves, just rely on someone to hand feed us.

I encourage you today to read the Bible for yourself. You can do it! Don’t stand around waiting for someone to give you a morsel here and there, dig in and find the truth for yourself.  There may be someone lifting their head to watch you and hope for a bite from you. We each need to be nourished by the gospel, but we also are expected to grow up in it, and become givers of life to the next generation. The time for being a baby passes and changes into feeding the next set of babies.

We have been given the mandate to go and teach others – SO keep in mind that

• We all start as babies, but are expected to grow up.
• We need small portions at first but should advance to more substantial food.
• We need to stretch our wings and learn more.
• We need to be able to gather our food.
• We need to give some young ones life, take them under our wings and teach them.
• We need to realize it is also part of our job to encourage them to spread their own wings.
• Birds are made to fly.

Dearest Father in heaven,

I am so thankful for those You put into my life who fed and nourished me in Your Word. I am so very thankful that You have given us so much information to help us live according to Your will.

Be with Indigo and Baby as they continue their journey, and thank You for bringing them into my life. Help us to remember what You taught us about how You care for the birds, but much more for us.

Help us to realize our need to grow up. Help us to go to the next mark on our growth chart. Nudge us to take another step toward You and toward our mission. Show us someone today that You want us to take under our wings for a while, and help us realize when it is time to help them spread their own wings. Thank You for giving us strength and courage and nourishment and provision for the jobs You have created and called us to do.

Click here for more about me

Interested in more stories of faith? Read

Click here to read the first chapter FREE

Click to see Oscar on Amazon.com

Click to see The Wisdom Tree on Amazon.com

Baby Bluebirds and Worm Soup

Indigo Blue Bird (on right) and his sister Baby.

Their tiny bodies were almost motionless in the nesting box. Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird had not been seen in two days. We had been rejoicing over the hatching of four glorious little eggs and the vigilance of Mr. and Mrs. B. Their schedule had no room for even “penciling in” anything but feed one, leave to find another worm, return to feed another. At night Mrs. B sat with the young’uns and Mr. B kept watch on a nearby cherry tree. Then, two were gone and no sightings of Mom and Dad. Reluctant to interfere, we waited. There were still two in the box, so we held out hope that Mom and Dad were busy with the older two and would return to help the remaining siblings. They didn’t.

The Elly May in me (refer to Beverly Hillbillies TV show) had to step in. I pulled down the box, called in Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome to remove the bottom panel so I could access the babes.  They were huddled together in a corner. I watched for signs of life. Waited. Then I saw a bit of movement on the ribs of one. At least one had survived. Mr. T D & H proclaimed the other dead, but as I removed his depleted little body, he still had a wiggle in him! They were alive! The mission had begun!

Growing up, I never expected I would own a box labeled “worms” at my house, yet I do. The good kind – meal worms, all dried up nice and crunchy and ready for bluebird snacks. I bought them earlier in the year (yep, I paid good money for a box of dried up worms) because the bluebirds took a liking to our yard, and I wanted to show them proper Southern Hospitality. I set out some right on their bedside table (flower box next to their house). They ignored them completely. So, still armed with a nearly-full box of worms, I have another opportunity, a gift actually. God knew I would need them, I just didn’t know when.

Worm soup, it's whats for supper - for them at least.

The babies appeared to be a day or two apart as far as development. The older I call Indigo Blue because he has some blue showing on his little feather stubs. The younger I named Baby Blue. He still had more bare skin than fuzz or feathers. He was almost gone, and got the first attention.

I gathered some other supplies; a rehabber (wildlife rehabilitator) always has a stash. Dropper, small bowls, worms, gloves and water were in order. I crushed some worms (my least favorite part) and put them in some water, swished and drew some up in the dropper. No one was interested. They were struggling to breathe and couldn’t even hold up their tiny little heads. It was all they could do to just breathe in and out. They seemed resigned to their fate – ready to just lie down and die. Living was just too hard when abandoned, and alone.

Rehabbers also have tenacity.  They might have given up, but I hadn’t.  I took Baby’s head and propped it up against the side of the nest and prodded it in the corner with the worm soup. Not interested. It took several stern pushes to pry open his mouth and release a drop of the juice. He swallowed, another good sign. Now, for Indigo. Same process, with me fighting to give him what he needed and him finally opening up. This process continued for about an hour, giving them a break after each swallow. About an hour later, Indigo opened one eye and voluntarily took his dropper. Baby still just hanging on.

Another hour of this and they were able to raise their heads on their own, and soon their digestive tract was back in working order (use your imagination). It was a glorious sight to me. I was thankful that God allowed them a few more hours of life, and life with food.

About another hour later I was rewarded with a tiny squeak from Indigo! He seemed to be getting stronger. Baby heard the noise and soon answered his little chirp. It was as if they were talking, one chirp was answered by the other for several seconds. Back and forth they discussed their plight and dilemma. It was charming and encouraging. They seemed to have regained their will to live. A little worm soup and attention revived their bodies and spirits.

Will they make it? I don’t know. I will keep you posted. Meanwhile, let us look around us for those who need life. They need spiritual nourishment. Most of us have some compassion for helpless baby birds, maybe even enough to take some action on their behalf. Should we not have compassion that takes action on a world so full of people dying from lack of the Savior? If you know Him, Jesus, then perhaps you could give a dropper full of Him to someone today, even if they don’t think they want Him.

Remember - 

• Without Him, we die.
• With Him, we have life.
• Life requires continual feeding – on the Word of God.
• With life, we can share our testimony and our God.
• When we share – not all will be receptive. Try again.
• Where there is life, there is hope.
• The tiniest of chirps are the most blessed of noise to one who desires life for you. Share a chirp with a brother or sister today.

Father, I thank You for little Indigo and Baby, who have shown me again just how wonderful it is to have been created by You. Thank You for the opportunity to minister to them. I pray You will speak to many through these little ones, and prick their hearts to be tender and compassionate toward one another.

Help me to be ever mindful of Your love for the suffering, dying, and downcast and give me the words to say and the actions to take that would point them to You. Your lovingkindness is so generous to me, I pray I will in turn show that lovingkindness to all You place in my path.

If you don’t know Him, you may be starving spiritually and dying in a sincere belief that there is no such God. This short video might be of interest to you to answer some questions you have about God. I pray you will take a few minutes to watch it.  Video link

Little Indigo and Baby would have perished without our actions. Who do you know today that needs to hear? What are you going to do?

To read part 2 of their story click here.

Click here for more about me

For more faith-filled stories

Click to see The Wisdom Tree on Amazon.com

Click to see Oscar on Amazon.com

If the daffodils can wait, so can I

Daffodils ready, and waiting.

It has been a long, cold winter, and we are eagerly awaiting the warm weather of spring.  Our daffodils usually bloom early to mid-February.  It is now only a few days until March and they still haven’t bloomed, due to the unusually cold and dark winter.  They are ready, but waiting for the proper time.

I remember waiting for the arrival of our child.  We were ready long before he arrived, but we had to wait. 

I know several who are longing and looking for a lifetime mate.  It hasn’t happened yet, and they are waiting.

I remember being in school and waiting for summer break, waiting to finally get my driving permit, and waiting for my sweetheart to call at a certain designated time.  All I could do was wait until the designated time.

Some have precious family members in declining stages of health, and live with the understanding that their time on earth is dwindling.  They wait for the inevitable.

Even though it is hard to do, we all must wait for certain things in life.  The epidemic of “road rage” seems to illustrate our lack of patience in these times of waiting.  How then, do we get this allusive thing we call patience?

Practice

Ruth Bell Graham tells the story of her impatience with some seeds she planted, then dug them up frequently just to see if they were sprouting yet.  You can imagine how that seed adventure ended.

I have been taught my own lessons in patience.  Many recipes ago I learned to trust the instructions, at times the hard way.  The instruction was to “cool the cake completely before frosting”, but I didn’t.  I had this lovely rich chocolate buttercream frosting ready, and wanted to spread it, so onto the freshly-baked three layer chocolate cake it went.  I could hardly work for the delicious aroma.  Quickly I began to feverishly argue with the frosting that began to slide down the sides of the cake.  I realized it was my fault, not the sugar, cocoa and butter.  I should have been patient.  Not only did the frosting not stick, the cake fell apart in the battle.  Lesson learned.

Waiting for the seeds to sprout and the cake to cool, helps us learn how to wait.  When we learn these lessons and practice waiting - that is called patience.  While patience is a virtue, it doesn’t come without practice.  So, all those lessons in waiting serve to teach us patience.

Trust

Waiting patiently is especially hard when we don’t know the outcome.  I have been guilty of dwelling on the worse possible “what ifs”.  Maybe you have too.  What if it ends in tragedy, or pain and suffering?  As a result, I suffer the anguish as if it were already true, when it hasn’t even happened yet!  Sometimes I forget that whatever God asks me to endure, He will equip me to endure.  I now consider that “forgetting” an attitude of mistrust.  If I do not trust God to stand by me (and He promised to NEVER leave me or forsake me), I tend to wallow in all kinds of worry.  However, when I remember that God, who created the universe, and raised Jesus from the dead, is fully able to equip me for every good work, I wallow less.  I can plan for eventualities, without hand-

wringing, when I trust His outcome, and I am convinced He is worthy of my complete trust.

So, if I patiently wait, and trust Him with the outcome – what should I do while I wait? Make the most of the waiting time.  These are some ideas which are helpful to me, perhaps they could be a good start for you or someone you know.

1)  Be ready to bloom.  Regardless of what is going on in and around your life, be ready.  Study His Word for instruction every day.

2)  Stand firm in the truths found in His Word.  You can count on Him and the Bible. Waiting can cause us to doubt, (a favorite tactic of our enemy) but, when you study and stand firm in the truth, doubt cannot take hold.

3)  Give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God concerning you.  Even if it hurts. Even if it isn’t part of our plans. Even if it takes us out of our comfort zone.  Give thanks.   You will find that this attitude builds trust, eliminates worry, and replaces it with peace.

4)  Press on.  Life is a marathon.  As we approach the finish line, let’s not waste time on hand-wringing over things that may not even come to pass.  When an obstacle comes, we will be equipped to navigate it.  Keep about your work.  The daffodils will both bloom and fade when it is the proper time.

Father, we thank You for Your Word which teaches us the truths which equip us for our very lives.  Thank You for illustrating so many of these truths in Your creation.   We trust You and Your Word with everything, every day, and in every circumstance.  Help us to use our time wisely, and draw ever nearer to You as we press on each day.