Apple Pie Disaster

Original Photo by Author 

This time of year, I crave fresh baked apple pie. I picked up all the ingredients during our trip to the market and couldn’t wait to get home and make my pie. Instead of following my usual recipe, I opted for one of those Flakiest-Pie-Crust-You’ll-Ever-Make recipe claims.

Substituting butter for the shortening didn’t seem like a bad idea, but after refrigerating the dough for several hours, as the recipe claimed was the most important step, the dough was so stiff I couldn’t roll it out. I let it set for a half hour and tried again. The dough was still hard, and I didn’t get it as thin as I should, but I went ahead and baked it. I almost needed a chain saw to cut it.

I debated whether to throw the whole thing out, but the filling was perfect, and I really wanted some apple pie. After some thought, I made a single crust (skipped the refrigeration so it rolled out easily) pre-baked it, used the cooked filling and covered it with a French pie topping. It turned out well, but the crust still isn’t as flaky as my all shortening pie crust recipe.

 Disasters happen. Some of them due to our choices, others through no fault of ours. We can throw up our hands and throw everything out or look for what is salvageable and make the best of a bad situation. Faith makes that possible.

"... And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

Even if it doesn't seem true at the moment, like my pie, things can turn out better than we expected with patience, prayer, and a willingness to look for different solutions. 

Thank You, Lord, for my faith and trust in You. Without it, life would be unbearable. Amen

Storms and Second, Third, and Fourth Chances

I woke to storm clouds, wind, and rain. It seemed odd after the sunshiny mornings with warm temperatures. The weather forecast is for high winds, lightning, and possible wildfires. I hate to see them destroy our beautiful country.

Wildfires aren’t the only things that worry me. Fires raging in our cities and in many hearts are destroying everything in their path. Is God raining down His wrath on an ungodly nation and world, or is this just another phase in the history of a stiff-necked people?

Before I throw stones at others, I must first look inward. Everything comes down to faith, my relationship with God, and how well I apply it to my life.

This morning, as I stepped outside with Cooper, I thanked God for giving me one more day upon this earth. I pray I can use this time to offer more praise, more thanks, and to show more love.

When storms rage and our fear grows, look up. God is still on His throne. He sees. He knows. He understands, and He cares.

This world is temporary. It is the next we need to be the most concerned with, followed closely by our love for others — even those we do not agree with or understand.

“Is it not you alone, O Lord, our God, to whom we look?” Jeremiah 14:22.

Dear Lord, open the hearts and minds of all your children, starting with mine. Amen.

 

Has It Been A Wonderful Life?

The classic movie has been a tradition at Christmas for as long as I can remember, and for just as long as I can remember its premise has haunted me for days afterward. If I had not been born, would anyone's life be affected? I agree with Clarence, very few can truthfully answer that question beyond immediate friends and family. Even then, would their lives be affected that much?

I haven't found the cure to any disease or instigated the end to any injustices. I haven't written a book worthy of the Pulitzer or done any deed that warranted the Nobel for Peace. In fact, those closest to me would say the opposite is more likely. St. Paul had it right. Why do I do the evil which I wish not and not do the good that I wish?

And yet, if God will bless someone like me with His miracles, love and compassion, then everyone in the whole world has an equal chance. 

I've seen rainbows and lilies appear when I needed their messages of hope. I've had visions, premonitions, and divine encounters in which God has told me how much He loves me. I've been loved and cared for. I have loved and cared for others. I have been blessed with talents I've been allowed to share with others. I've laughed and cried, rejoiced and sorrowed. I've been ill and been healed. I've been devastated financially and been delivered.

Thus, even if I haven't managed to right wrongs, win a Pulitzer or save the world, it has been a wonderful life - and it isn't over yet.

In fact, through scriptures and visions, God has revealed the last half of my life will be better than the first. Exactly how this will be manifested, I haven't a clue, but judging from what's happened already, it will be something grand.

Can you say it's been a wonderful life?