January 31, 2008

Cooking with God

I felt like a failure!  Failure as a mom (my kids had been fighting like cats and dogs), failure as a wife (I was chronically mad at my husband for no particular reason,), a failure as a speaker/author (because what could I possibly have to tell women when I was a failure as a mom and wife!), and the icing on the failure cake…I was a failure as a cook. 

I knew they would like my latest dish, Pizza Casserole, but as we sat down to dinner, nobody liked it (except me!).  If I didn’t really want to know what my husband thought about it, why did I ask him? I was crushed almost to tears (I saved those for later). 

As I cleaned off the table, I thought, “I can’t even cook!”  At that moment a thought ran through my head:  “You’ve never asked Me to help you cook.”  I immediately thought, “Lord, I don’t want to!  Shouldn’t I be able to do something on my own?” 

Miserable!  That’s what I was, through that night and on to Sunday morning, even as I sat in church.  My pride wasn’t letting me accept the help He was offering.  He saw my misery and was trying to correct me to help.  Finally, I surrendered.  “Lord, I need your help with everything.  I need your wisdom to parent my kids, I need your sacrificial love to be there for my husband, and Lord, I stink at cooking on my own.  I can’t do it on my own.  I need you to help me make my house a home.  To You alone be the glory.”  As I stood to my knees, the weight of pride fell off. 

“Do not lose hope when He corrects you.  The Lord trains those He loves…No training seems pleasant at the time.  In fact it seems painful.  But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace.”  (Heb. 12:5b-6a, 11). 

What is it that you’re trying to handle on your own? Maybe you’re trying to parenting your kids on your own.  Have you had a hard time loving your husband, lately? Have you ever asked God to help you with the daily things: cooking, getting everybody ready to go in the morning, buying groceries with the kids in tow (and not losing your temper), washing, drying, AND putting the laundry away, cooking for your family, planning birthday parties or even what to buy your child as a gift? If you ask Him, He is ready and willing to help with everything. 

God and I have served several meals since the Pizza Casserole disaster.  The meals were great, but so was our conversation. Without Him, I am a failure.  With Him, there is joy!

Sharon

Lord,
You are patient and kind.  Thank you for your willingness to help with everything.  Would you help me see areas that I am carrying the load by myself? And then, help me turn it over to you for your help.  You said, “Come to me, all of you who are tired and carrying heavy loads.  I will give you rest.  Become my servants and learn from me.  I am gentle and free of pride.  Serving me is easy, and my load is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30) So, Lord, I come to you with my feelings of guilt and failure, my heavy loads.  Thank you for helping me.  I love you! In Jesus' Name, Amen