Once again, I spilled the milk. (See my previous article.) It was on a Tuesday morning, and I was preparing to leave for the same meeting I’d been on my way to the last time I’d made this mess.
Running late again, I chose cereal with fresh blackberries from a local farm. It is not my preferred breakfast diet, but I decided it would be quicker than cooking. In theory, I was right. Reality has its own opinion.
I stood at the tall kitchen island, set my bowl in a secure spot, and reached for my phone to check the time. I barely bumped the full bowl with my elbow, and it threw milk, cereal, and berries all over the island, down the side, and onto the floor. There was a cascade of milk pouring off the counter. I grabbed the nearest kitchen towel and began to stop the milk stream, then mop up the bits of cereal and spilled berries.
Once finished with the cleanup, I returned to what was left in the bowl. It was a quarter of what I started with. I did not have time to do anything more than eat those four bites and leave. I arrived at my meeting just on time, and a little hungry.
I sat in the meeting and thought of one of my favorite verses in scripture, Proverbs 3:5, 6 (NKJV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” I laughed on the inside as I realized I had leaned on my own understanding when I chose cereal over cooking because I believed it would save time. In reality, it took longer and was less satisfying.
I often hear people say, “God has better things to do than help me with my small problem.” I believe God will train us up in the small things so that when the big things come, we are spiritually prepared. We are practicing trusting and leaning on Him in the small things so we are prepared for the crises of our lives. It is an invitation to enjoy a consistent dialogue with the Lord, who is all-knowing, all-seeing, and always available. This builds the trust and reliance necessary to walk this walk with the Lord.
Is there an activity, ministry, or job leaving you dissatisfied and feeling like a drudgery? Are you hungry for something more? Ask the Lord if this season belongs to your history, not your present. Is it time for a season change, or do you need to find a different approach within this season? Let go of the need to figure it out on your own. Confess your trust in, need for, and surrender to Him. Let Him direct your path from there.
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV