Psalm 91:11 - For He shall give
His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. (NKJV)
Ever feel like filler in the sandwich of life? There
are days when everything seems to be scrunching me out of place, till I'm
totally surrounded by the world's demands and am only trying to squeeze more
into my time and my mind than I can realistically achieve. These are the days
when I feel like the filler.
One evening, friends called to say that they were in
the neighbourhood and wanted to drop by for a cuppa. I had strawberries, ice
cream, and cookies, but I needed something else. Why not bake some biscuits? I
thought, and hurried to get these made and in the oven so they'd be nice and hot
on the arrival of our guests. However, my mind being on overload and my rushing
to finish the task left me with the feeling that I was forgetting something.
Quit being so silly! You've made biscuits millions of times. Why, you could do
this in your sleep! I scolded and assured myself at the same time. But still...
Our doorbell rang just as I popped the baking sheet
full of freshly made biscuits into the oven. We exchanged greetings and chatted
while the coffee perked. I peeked in the oven and saw that my usually very high
biscuits were barely risen. The knot in my stomach reminded me about my earlier
thought that I was forgetting something. Baking powder! I had forgotten the
baking powder! I pulled the baking sheet out of the oven and tried to poke some
baking powder into the half-baked biscuits! This was futile and foolish!
Needless to say, I had to start all over again, and
this time, I paid close attention to what I was doing.
That evening after our friends left, having enjoyed
the freshly-made biscuits, strawberries, and ice cream, I thought back over the
events of my day. I was trying to do too much, and I hadn't added the main
ingredient needed to ensure a success! Because I hadn't spent time in prayer or
Bible reading that morning, I was feeling like the filler in a sandwich, and so
the day squeezed me out of shape! Oh, I'd asked God to guide me safely home,
help me get dinner ready on time, and bring my family back together safely at
supper time, but like the baking powder, I was trying to poke God into my
planned day as the tasks were being done. I hadn't given my family, tasks, or
day to Him to guide as He chose for His glory.
I couldn't start over for that particular day, but
tomorrow, I'd take the time to read my Bible and pray first. I'd pay close
attention and ask Him to guide every detail and event of my day. After all,
without Him, my day is only another schedule to get through so that I can say
it's completed. There is no real sense of accomplishment, because I'm feeling
put upon and hurried with a to-do list only!
The days I choose to begin my day with prayer and
meditation on the Word are easier and less stressful. Oh, problems may arise and
difficulties may present obstacles and challenges, but with Him, I can
accomplish far more than I ever dreamed possible.
Humbly, I bowed my head and thanked Him for second
chances, and third and fourth ones. I'll probably have another day when I try to
poke God into my plans, but as He promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake
you." (Hebrews 13:5b NKJV) I know that He'll be waiting for me to pause long
enough to invite Him to take control.
We are on a journey of faith and we have the best
Guide. Let's allow Him to lead us, and enjoy the wonders of living each day in
expectation and joy.
Prayer: Father God, we are Your children. We sometimes
run on ahead of You and expect our day to unfold instead of unravel. Thank You
that You are constantly with us, and with Your help, we can choose to follow in
Your paths and have a purpose. We love You. Thank You for loving us! In Jesus'
name, we pray. Amen.
Lauretta Balderston
laure@eastlink.ca
Kensington, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca
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