Author: The Manna Chef

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Creative, Able, and Committed

The Manna Chef

You know those moments when you think about your life, even from childhood?  Well, today, I had that moment.  I was thinking about the start of the school year in second grade (yes, I can remember back that far!), when I was placed in the gifted program, “Creative, Able, and Committed.” 

Of course, back then, I didn’t think much about the title of the program; I just knew it meant I was going to another classroom for math and science.  (And later, I would realize that I had to do twice the classwork!)  However, today, God allowed me to reflect on the actual words: creative, able, and committed.  I am all of those things because He designed me that way.  And then, I began to focus on one word: committed. 

Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV) says, “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.”

According to Merriam-Webster, commit means to entrust; to pledge or assign for use; to put in charge.  Establish means to institute permanently; to make firm or stable; to set up; to gain acceptance.  Works are tasks or jobs; achievements; everything possessed, available, or belonging to.

Let’s look back at the Scripture:  Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.

In other words, entrust God with everything you are and do, and He will set you up for success because your thoughts are shaped by Him.

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Crucified with Christ

The Manna Chef

This week, the whole world will set aside time to acknowledge the death, burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Churches all over the world will hold special services on Good Friday to revisit “The Last Words of Jesus.” 

On Sunday, some of those same churches will rent out convention centers and arenas to welcome thousands of people who will attend worship services, wearing their Sunday best.  (I can hear my mother say, “Girl, you are sharp as a tack,” or “Boy, you are cleaner than the board of health!”  I sure do miss her.)  Later, after eating a delicious dinner, many families may watch “The Ten Commandments” on television. 

After all, this week is paramount in the lives of believers.  Our entire relationship with God and our salvation are based upon Who Jesus is and the sacrifice He chose to make for us.  We should forever be grateful that He lives, He bled, He died, and He rose with all power for you and me! 

But, after the celebrations are held throughout Holy Week, I wonder, “Will anything really change in our daily lives when the services end?” 

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Spring Forward

The Manna Chef

It’s that time of year when we move the clocks ahead one hour.  I’m sure we all know some people who dread Daylight Saving Time because, in their minds, losing an hour of sleep equates to missing out on something in their lives.  Yes, our sleep patterns will be interrupted for a bit, but we will adjust.  Sisters, I want to offer you a different perspective in this season.

We may be a little sleepy over the next few mornings, because daylight is coming an hour earlier—but that sunshine (SONshine!) will be glorious.  You now get to experience daylight for a longer period of time each day.  Sisters, it’s time to shift in the spiritual as well as in the natural. 

It’s time to shift our thinking and our level of expectation.  Winter is coming to a close, and spring is just ahead.  Spring is a reminder that God is making all things new in our lives. 

And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”  (Revelation 21:5 NLT)

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Everlasting Love

The Manna Chef

This morning, I asked God for a word for His daughters, and then I sat still waiting for Him to reply.  After some time, He whispered, “Tell them that I have loved them since before the beginning.”  I allowed those words to settle in my spirit, and I felt peace surround me. 

Sisters, God loves you!  He has always loved you.  I want you to meditate on that today:  God has always loved you!  There has never been a time when He didn’t love you – NEVER!  No matter how you feel right now, no matter how many mistakes and poor choices you have made, your Heavenly Father loves you with an everlasting love.  You didn’t have to do anything to earn His love.  He loved you before you could do anything.  Sisters, I invite you to bask in His love today.

Jeremiah 31:3 says it so beautifully:

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

I know that while some of you are preparing for a Valentine’s Day with your sweetheart, others may just be celebrating solo (and some feel no need to celebrate at all).  However you choose to spend the day, know that God loved you before the beginning of time.  That alone is reason to celebrate.  You are loved more than you can even imagine.  Take a moment to appreciate the love that your Heavenly Father has for you.

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No More Duct Tape!

The Manna Chef

I went on a girls’ trip with my sisters last year, and we enjoyed some well-needed sister time.  On the way to one of our excursions, we boarded a tour bus that read, “Unforgettable…the best rides of your life.”  As I got onto the bus, I noticed that across the driver’s side was duct tape!  Yes, Sisters, duct tape was holding our bus together!  We made it to our destination, but I remember thinking, “Lord, please just get us there safely.”  I must say that the ride really was unforgettable though! 

It made me wonder, “How many times have we put duct tape on a situation to just make it through the day?”  You know those days—you are running on almost no sleep, but there is so much to do and everyone is calling on you today for help.  (And you can’t let them down.)  You’re exhausted, but you push through to show up for everyone else—even when your body is telling you to rest.  We know how to keep it moving even when we shouldn’t.  Sisters, you are going through your day with duct tape, trying to make something happen and wearing yourself down in the process.

There is a reason our bodies tell us when to slow down.  Whether or not we want to admit it, we do have limits physically.  We have to learn how to be still and rest.  There is a small, still voice that will direct our every step if we’ll just listen to it.  Ask the Lord for a better strategy to accomplish whatever He wants you to accomplish each day, and then ask Him to accompany you throughout the day.

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