Month: August 2013

“Let Stand”

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However much I like to cook and try new recipes, needing to marinade overnight and tons of ingredients and preparation is not for me. Quick and easy recipes have always been my kind of cooking.  With that being said, my ever favorite recipe are the “break and bake” cookies. They are so easy; pre-heat the oven, break, place, bake, let stand, and enjoy. The only downside of this recipe is the “let stand” step. When you just want to “enjoy”, those extra few minutes can be excruciating.

Though excruciating and seemingly unnecessary, those few minutes determine the final product. If you let the cookies stand too long, they will be too hard; and letting them stand for too little time, will cause the cookies to fall apart when you try to serve them. Now, some people don’t mind their cookies hard or falling apart, but I believe most people enjoy them when they are firm around the edges with a soft center. YUM! Want a cookie, yet?

Life is the same way. We aren’t always sure of all of the ingredients, prep and cook time required. Yet, we can be certain that as long as we are cooking with the Master Chef, whatever is cooking will be delectable.

A year ago today, Jake and I started a new recipe of our own.

1 cup of fear
2 cups of excitement
1 Tbsp of anxiety
1 semi-ripe teenager
1 semi-ripe adult
100 cups of faith
Mix first 5 ingredients with 5 cups of faith in pre-loaded car. Blend for 10 hours.
Let stand until further notice. Sprinkle faith throughout as needed.

Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. (John 20:29)

Rest

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The house is finally quiet, peaceful. Dirty dishes, toys, shoes, and other signs of joy and life are scattered throughout. The day and week have been long. The kids have finally asleep in their beds.  I rest in my husband’s arms before tackling a messy home; he my helper as I am his. Tonight, this is what my heart longs for.

As my imagination runs wild with such detail, I am reminded that such longing was designed by my Father. He placed this desire to be united with the man He has created for me. This desire was to be a reminder of the deep desire He has to be eternally united with me. Unfortunately, the reminder has been tainted, transformed into a replacement and become the “destination” for so many (including myself at times).

Marriage was meant to mirror the relationship between Christ and His people. As a bride longs for her groom, our hearts should ache to be with Him. The pure exhilaration of being carried over the Heavenly Threshold in the arms of our Beloved is the truest manifestation of our heart’s deepest desire. No matter how much we try to masquerade it with earthly replicas, it can never be matched.

I admit I long for the day that I am able to rest in my husband’s arms, but I more so yearn for the day when I am able to eternally rest in my Heavenly Groom’s arms.

Goes Without Saying

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As I do everyday, I prayed for you today. They may not be as specific as I would like, but I pray what I know. I pray for you to be bold, strong, courageous and fearless. I pray for your faith and knowledge of God to increase everyday. I pray for your heart to yearn for Him as it never has. I pray the people currently in your life are drawing you closer to Him and, selfishly of course, I pray for those relationships to draw you closer to me as well.

I pray that you are not like some people who “always avoid things that are costly, or things that require self-denial, self-restraint, and self-sacrifice” (Streams in the Desert).  For seeking such things will not lead you to greatness. An easier life doesn’t develop a strong person. I don’t recall stories of God’s great men travelling in calm and smooth seas. They were in storms, floods, and even shipwrecks, but those are the ones who found joy, contentment, and peace. They fought the good fight and ran the race. They were willing to risk it all. Friends, family, stability, and safety meant nothing if it kept them from God and His will for their lives. This is my prayer for you — seek His will without hesitation.

When you seek Him with all your heart that is when you will find Him. But when you seek, I pray you also see. See what He brings before your eyes. Carefully consider the thoughts that cross your mind. The “sightings” you have may be a word from Him and not just a fleeting memory.

Everyday you are closer to the man He has created you to be; the man I have prayed for you to become. I may not be able to witness this progression in your life, but I have faith it is happening and will continue praying you through each moment, especially the difficult times that I am sure will come, if you are not already in the midst of them.

As Philip Brooks states, I do not pray for your life to be easy, for an easy life would not build boldness and strength. I do not pray for your tasks to be equal to your power, but for your power to grow equal to your tasks. Because then doing your work will not be a miracle, but through it all, you will become the miracle.

I know this goes without saying, but I love you! I never stopped and I don’t believe I ever will!