French Toast and Mums

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Satan tries to beat me up with life every day. He uses little stuff that may seem insignificant to wear me down. If I allow him he will direct my focus toward the goals I have set but not yet met. He will sprinkle doubt as to whether I will ever finish the race God has set before me.

God uses The. Little. Things. to draw me closer to him every day. Ordinary life moments become a touch of love. As I sit on my front porch surrounded with mums with cute little straw scarecrows I am amazed that the Silly. Little. Things. I once took for granted now bring me great joy. A year ago I craved the resources necessary to have mums on my porch. Silly. Little. Things.

As I cut up french toast for my granddaughter, I laugh softly as God gently reminds me of a time not so long ago when I did not have a stove, a sink or a home. I look around and I notice all the clutter, dust and laundry and wonder out loud “what does any of this stuff have to do with the race God has set before me?”

Most days instead of seeing the progress that God has made in my life, I see stuff. God in his infinite wisdom uses The. Little. Stuff. to remind me of where I was in my life three years ago. He reminds me of the times I laid down at night uncertain whether I would have enough gas money for work the next morning. He reminds me that it was a blessing that popcorn is one of my favourite meals.

God has taken The. Little. Things. and used them to grow me in big ways; his ways. Each time that I reach up and give my Heavenly Father control of The. Little. Things. he increases my faith as he prepares me for the bigger things he has in store for me. Each time I say yes to obedience I become stronger in him. As I become stronger he will use me to bless others.

It’s hard for me to sit here in my rocking chair (another little blessing) and not shout with praises of thanksgiving. The. Little. Things. I now enjoy came at a steep price for my Saviour. He gave his life so I could smell the mums and taste the french toast. All he ask in return is for me to look upward, have faith and obey.

I write about the difficult periods of my life not out of self-pity, but to say to the world, “LOOK AT WHAT MY GOD HAS DONE.”

“Dear Heavenly Father, I praise you for who you are. I am thankful beyond earthly words for the way you have moved in my life. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt you have great plans for me. Keep me humble Father. Keep me grounded so that I may serve others as you have served me. Use my brokenness to glorify you.
I love you. I praise. You are an awesome God.