Oops!

My day wasn't going well. Everything seemed out of sorts and then it hit me: I had forgotten my usual quiet time in the early morning hours. It is a habit I've developed over the years that has blessed my days immeasurably. But, on this day, I forgot.

It took many years for my time of Bible reading and prayer to become a habit. Now it is as natural as brushing my teeth or combing my hair. As a busy mom, wife, and teacher, I often relegated my communication time with God to, "Whenever I could fit it in."

Finally, about twenty years ago, it clicked that to have a good day, I must give God my attention, first, before anything else. In the last decade of my working years, that time was 5:30 a.m.--not easy since I struggled with mornings.

Once it became an ingrained habit, a holy habit, it was easy to do and greatly missed when I forgot. As was the case on this particular day.

It occurred to me, what if God forgot to do something? Can you imagine him saying:

• "Sorry. I forgot to put the sun up in the sky today."
• "Too bad I won't be doing Spring blossoms this year. You'll have to put up with bare trees and no flowers. And, that green summer grass? Forget it."

God and his creation are so very dependable, even when unusual occurrences happen--like earthquakes and the recent El Nino storms. Not only is creation dependable, but his love is ever-present.

In today's rocky world, it's reassuring to know God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. All he asks of me is to take time to communicate with him. When I forget, I sadden him.

What about you? Do you struggle to establish alone time with God? (We all do, by the way.) What do you do to help make it a priority in your faith walk? Share in the Comments below and perhaps we can learn from one another.

Meanwhile, go talk with God. He's waiting for you.

Mistakes or Inventions?

Years ago, I wanted to win the Pillsbury Bake-off contest. It was a stretch, but I thought it would be neat. For entering, I received 100 recipe cards using crescent rolls. My attempted recipe never got past the entry judges. Sigh.

One of those 100 recipes is called Pecan Breakfast Bread (recipe below). I’m a rule follower so I made it strictly according to directions, or so I thought. It is a tasty quick bread of dough filled with sugar, cinnamon, and pecans. My family loves it.

Many years later, I discovered (how, I don’t know) I was placing the filled and rolled crescent rolls into the loaf pan in the wrong direction. Good news is my way produced a lovely bread with the pinwheel look. It tasted the same but the presentation was much better.

Why all this? Mistakes often turn out to be opportunities or inventions. Think of the famous story of the scientist from 3M who attempted to create an adhesive. It failed and the results are Post-its. I don’t know about you readers, but I would not remember a thing without Post-its. I am glad his glue formula failed.

In the craft of knitting, sometimes it’s acceptable to make a stitch wrong if you do it consistently. I believe that’s how new stitches and patterns sometimes are created.

Isn’t it uplifting to know God takes our mistakes and turns them into opportunities? 

• If we learn from a mistake, it becomes valuable.
• If we create something beautiful, useful, or tasty from our mistakes, that is good.

I once bought a package of erasers and under the logo was this phrase:

“A second chance at perfection.”

That phrase struck me as good theology. God forgives our sins and mistakes and ushers us into heaven (perfection) through belief in Jesus Christ. Wow. All that on an eraser package!

God gave us all the gift of creativity and invention. Sometimes the pathway to great discoveries is filled with many mistakes. Take heart the next time you mess up. Perhaps God is leading you toward a heavenly invention.

What about you? What are some "mistakes turned into good things" from your life? Share in the Comments section.

PECAN BREAKFAST BREAD

2 cans Pillsbury Ref. Crescent Rolls

2 T. butter, softened

½ C. sugar

¼ C. chopped pecans

2 t. cinnamon

            Separate crescent dough into 16 triangles.  Spread ea. w/ butter.  Combine sugar, pecans, & cinnamon; sprinkle over triangles.  Roll up ea. triangle, starting at wide end & rolling to opposite point.  Place rolls, point side down, in greased 9x5” loaf pan, forming 2 layers of 8 rolls each.  (Place rolls lengthwise in pan.)

            Bake at 375° for 35 – 40 min. or ‘til golden brown & center is done.  Remove from pan at once; place right side up & drizzle w/ Topping or powdered sugar glaze.

Topping:

¼ C. powdered sugar                2 T. honey

2 T. butter                                 1 t. vanilla

¼ C. pecan halves

In sauce pan, combine all ingred. except pecans.  Bring to boil, stirring constantly.  Stir in pecans.  Cool slightly.

Free Reading!

As a special treat today, I am linking you to a FREE sampler of writing from fourteen different writers in the Phoenix area. These are authors I worked with recently at the Phoenix Festival of the Arts at Margaret T. Hance Park.

Click on the link below and you will be treated to ten sample pages from 14 different books. There is something for adults, children, and young adults. There is fiction and nonfiction.

This is a great chance for readers to sample books without having to purchase them. I bet you didn't know you had so many writers in the Phoenix community.

So, grab a cup of coffee, tea, or whatever suits you. Take a break and enjoy some free reading about many different topics.

Disclaimer: the opinions of the authors are their own and not necessarily endorsed by this blog writer.

Good news is you don't have to download anything. Just click and read!

FREE SAMPLER

Phoenix Festival of the Arts

December 11-13, 2016

A beautiful weekend with only a few hours of rain.

Patrick Hodges and Michael Ajax                 

Laura Orsini and Rita Goldner

Sue trying to mop up in the rain

 

Blessed 2016

By now we're well into 2016 and perhaps on the road to living out new resolutions for improved lives. I am a person who doesn't make resolutions, but who sets goals each year. Somehow it energizes me and helps me navigate through a new year or a new phase of life.

Here are a few simple suggestions for planning the upcoming year:

• Make a Mission Statement for yourself. (I stole this idea from author Debbie Macomber.). Companies operate under mission statements to ensure all employees are on the same page. I've tried it for several years and it works. It highlights what values are important to me and is a reminder to focus on those values as I live life. Keep it short, sweet, and meaningful. Try it.
• List the priorities in your life. What is important to you? What supports your Mission Statement?
• List the goals for each priority. What specifically do you want to accomplish in 2016?
• If you're really into this planning thing, list the steps to achieving your goals. (Optional)
• This is the fun part: revisit this list every three or four months. It keeps you on track and lets you see what you've accomplished. You feel very productive.

My wish for you, my electronic friends:  a productive year and a calm year filled with God's peace and joy.