Written By: Mary Martinez

Cling, clang, slam, were the noises coming out of my kitchen. I was in the living room, getting my older boys started on their schoolwork when these curious noises caught my attention. I debated whether or not I should investigate, but just as I was about to get up, all the commotion stopped. I dismissed it thinking my youngest was probably just getting a drink or a snack. A few minutes later, he yells, “Mom, there is only one egg left.” I quickly thought back, and I could distinctly remember that I had five eggs left in the carton after breakfast. Suddenly, a sinking feeling hit my stomach, then my heart raced. Did I forget to put the eggs back in the fridge? Oh no, this can’t be good. 

I jumped up and hurried into the kitchen. “Not this today,” I thought, “I don’t have time for another mess.” As I walked into the kitchen, I saw my littlest sitting on the counter with the carton of eggs, sugar, and a large mixing bowl beside him. Inside the bowl were four eggs and an unknown amount of sugar. The eggshells lay on the counter, a bit of egg yolk on the floor, and a touch of sugar sprinkled about.

All in all, the mess was well contained and minimal. I felt relieved. But what now? Do I waste the ingredients or make the best out of his efforts? I thought for a minute about what I could make that has four eggs and sugar? My brownie recipe wouldn’t work. So, I grabbed a few cookbooks and flipped through the pages. I came across a recipe for chocolate chip cookies if I double the recipe it would work. Twenty minutes later, the “mess” turned into something sweet, and we were able to share the second batch with friends.  

We’ve all heard the saying when life gives you lemons make lemonade. Well, the new saying in our house is “when life gives you (four) cracked eggs and a handful of sugar, make cookies.” 

As we were waiting for the cookies to bake, the Lord spoke to my heart. “You need to trust me fully,” He whispered. He pointed out how quickly I can let my mind wander and jump to the worst possible scenario when something unexpected happens. Especially when I only get a bit of the information to start with and begin to stress, worry, and dwell on the unknown. Many times I allow the mess to overwhelm me and cause anxiety. The Lord reminded me that He is in total control. My job is to identify these thoughts and cast them out right away before they can take root. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

I have been on a mission to discover what it means to trust God fully. Once God spoke this conviction over my heart, I knew I had to research and seek what that means according to God’s Word. Here is what the Lord has revealed to me so far: 

First, it is essential to pause and pray when something unexpected happens before our minds get a chance to wander and worry creeps in. 

This is not easy to do and takes time and practice. When you don’t know what to pray try to keep it simple and keep praying it. Try something as simple as “Lord, I trust you.”

Secondly, it’s important to speak God’s Word over the situation verbally. 

  • God is the God of possible; nothing is impossible with God. (Matthew 19:26, Jeremiah 31:17, and Luke 18:27.)
  • He has the ability to help, and nothing is too big for Him. He wants to help. (Psalm 37:5, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 28:7.) 
  • God is Good. He wants what’s best for you in all aspects of your life. (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28.)

Maybe it’s a sudden phone call, an unsettling conversation, or an unexpected letter or bill in the mail. News or an event that makes your stomach sink and heart race. A moment of panic not knowing what you were going to do, or what the future would hold. From the outside, it looks like an overwhelming mess. Leaving you asking, why is this happening to me? What is your first reaction? Do you go to the Lord right away? 

Remind yourself today who God is and how He longs for you to trust Him. He can help you sort through the mess and navigate any trial. The Lord will ease your worry, anxiety, and bring you supernatural peace. What do you need to trust God for today?

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream and does not fear when heat comes; its leaves remain green and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17: 7-8

Weekly Challenge: Make chocolate chip cookies, and double the recipe, share with friends or neighbors.

https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/18476/original-nestle-toll-house-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Written By: Mary Martinez