Just a bit messy...

This morning I was making scones.  It’s become a weekly thing I do for the ladies and I who meet Saturday mornings at Starbucks to color, share and support each other through life.  It’s a very therapeutic and delicious time for us!

 

The process of baking scones has not come easily.  One time they come out great another time, not so great.  I haven’t been able to figure out what I did the few times they were great compared to the not so great times.  I began asking the Lord to show me what I was doing differently.  First, He showed me that I had switched cookie sheets.  At some point, I had increased the recipe and in doing so I changed baking pans and that made all the difference in the world.

 

Next…scones can be a bit messy to make.  I have to get my hands in the mixture to break down the butter with the flour.  Then slowly add in the egg and cream mixture. This produces a “loose dough” that is not quite all together.  When I dump it out of the bowl to flatten out, it tends to go everywhere and I do my best to keep it from scattering everywhere.  This morning, I found that I was laughing at myself attempting to “keep it together” and not be so messy.  Laughing out loud, I spoke out loud, “Lord, I must look silly trying to keep from making a mess.  How would You do this? You must know a better way.”  He spoke to my heart that sometimes thing are messy.  It’s just the way it is.  But the end result is good.

 

I just love that way He teaches me!!  Yep, just like this scone recipe, sometimes life is just plain and simple…messy.  In fact, probably more often than not, life is messy.  But as long as we have our eyes fixed on Him…not looking to the right or left…but, fixed on Him.  The end result will be good.      

Are we always in such a hurry that...

 I just ordered my usual here at Starbucks…my favorite place to hang out, find new friends and write.  The barista was friendly as usual and carrying on a conversation with me…as he does with many others. Unlike some days, it’s a very laid back atmosphere here today.  The gentleman in line behind me, however, didn’t seem to care much for the pace of things today.  He did everything except literally shove me out of the way while I was waiting for my receipt and order.  I sensed this and did what I could to move out of his way…even though my flesh wanted to hang out a little longer…just because!  :)

This really made me think.  In our hurry up and wait world…are we missing out on “nuggets of life” in our rush to get wherever it is we’re going?  I think back to Jesus in the Bible.  When he was on his way to different places, throngs of people would always cry out to him to be healed.  You know what’s so cool about Jesus?  He stopped and had interaction with people…even when he was on his way from point A to point B!  He healed them and then went on with his journey.  We can really learn a lot from this. 

Are we always in such a hurry that we don’t stop and take the time to visit with someone who maybe just needs someone to talk to them?  Maybe the person on the side of the road with a flat tire needs help.  Or...maybe the lady at Wal-Mart with 5 screaming kids who’s trying to get the groceries and the kids in the car in 90 degree weather needs help.  These are the “nuggets of life” I referred to earlier. 

We need interaction with other people and in instances like these, we can be a huge blessing to someone else.  But, what’s really great about this is that when we bless someone in this way, we are blessed as well.  It’s a wonderful feeling to stop what we’re doing, help someone, and then move along with the task at hand.  I have found that I’m usually not late getting where I’m going, but even if I am, it was worth those miniscule seconds, in the whole scheme of things, to stop and do what was needed. 

Take some time to stop and be a blessing to someone.  I believe you’ll find that you’ll be blessed as well.