Posted in Philosophy

    I don't know about you, but I have really struggled with things I feel drawn toward.  For a long time I just pushed anything in the way of dreams aside.  I have seen God putting some things in my path and have just been too afraid to pursue them.  I seem to be constantly learning new things in hopes of finding just the right thing that suits my fancy.  I finally decided to stop trying so hard to find new things and just step back and take a look at what has already transpired.  It has all been right here in front of me the whole time - growing and developing over the past 20 years.  Is this making sense to anyone???

I know we are supposed to write on Fridays about the LBY study but there is just so much I cannot resist sharing it - I promise to save the majority for Friday, though.

Over the past few years the Lord has been changing my mind about a lot of things.  I am a quiet person who enjoys my alone time a great deal and God has been taking advantage of that aspect of my personality.  I have sung in front of people and taught aerobics in front of people and have never felt comfortable with the whole "being out in front" thing.  I am certainly a "behind the scenes" kinda gal.  He has shaped me to desire lots of alone time, which, btw, is not always possible with a house full of children.  I am not one to talk on the phone a great deal.  I am also not one to want to fill up my time with lots of chatter and conversation about frivolity.  Crowds totally drain me.  Not that I am so deep all the time, because I am NOT, but my mind is just on other things.  I am an observer.  I am an introverted type.  Sure I spend time in conversation but I listen a whole lot more than I talk in most instances.  Dan is the only one who sees the chatty side most days.  I am merely energized by time to think and pray and just be quiet. Writing is such a good fit for me for that reason.  Am I still not making sense???  Ok, I will get to the point...

All that being said, God has given me a desire to be in my kitchen.  I LOVE working in the kitchen with praise music going and the focus on preparing things to nourish my family.  I have become very educated in recent years on healthy eating and nutrition because of my husband's early onset issues with high blood pressure.  I seem to have developed a passion for such things lately.  As I have become more capable in my kitchen I have seen that God has given me a gift for this.  It meets so many aspects of my personality to be in the kitchen.  I am alone to think, for the most part.  I am able to be creative in a way I never dreamed.  I am able to meet the needs of my family.  I am able to exercise a gift of hospitality.  It has even spilled over to a role running the church kitchen when we have meal functions.  ...And now,  God has opened a door to sell the very bread that feeds my family to others.  I did not have to do anything but share my bread and then I suddenly have customers that are buying bread from me.  It is AMAZING TO WATCH!!!

Remember the cookie sheets and spatulas that Dan brought home yesterday?  He has been bringing me such things for about two months as a way of encouraging me to step out in this dream.  He has been amazingly supportive and has said that wherever the Lord takes this he will support and do what he can for this.  Is this a dream come true?  Not in full, but it certainly is a starting place.  I believe that it is something the Lord is calling me to and with His design it will bless my family in a Proverbs 31 sort of way.  I sat down the other night and made a list that would be a bigger plan for this whole catering and cooking thing.  I feel that I need to be teaching my children all these things, too.  I will also need to teach them the basics of running a home business and being a good steward of all that God gives us.  What a magnificent teaching opportunity this could be.  Could all of this include a nursing degree/nutritionist degree? - (something I have also felt is in the future for me)  Could it include running a bed and breakfast?  Maybe...  Does it mean that I will write my own cookbook or other books on food, nutrition and family such things?  Hmmm... now that would be fun...  Whereever it leads, I am ready - a bit nervous ;) but certainly ready. 

I am very excited that He has a plan for my life and once I get past the fear He is showing me, little by little, just how great HE IS!!!