The Journal

So Publisher's Kitchen was created out of my two loves - story publishing and culinary arts. It was originally a bakery mixed with editing services, but then I got pregnant and it became just an editing service. Then COVID-19 hit and we were all required to stay in our homes to get the virus under control. 'Now what?' I asked God in the shower. 'Well, what about a blog?'

I was never going to blog. There are so many good ones out there already. But, then I realized that is like saying 'I'm never going to show the world who I really am. There are already so many great women out there.' But, the truth of the matter is that each blog, each woman's story, each business, has its own purpose. One missing from the whole leaves a glaring gap in the puzzle of life.

So, my response to that realization is this blog.

I hope you enjoy the journey with me - for that is what life is about, right? We already know the end of the story. Life is about how we get there.

Oh, and PS. My husband and I have been blessed with a beautiful baby girl. She is such a joy 🥰 Talk about a journey.

Today I needed to go to Bible study. It isn't the usual kind of Bible Study; it is more like a celebration. A weekly celebration. Each of us comes in from our normal crazy lives and we pause and celebrate what Abba is doing.

However, this week we have been asked to exercise social distancing. Baby Girl and I stayed home and Skyped into the meeting. So glad we did, because the part of the discussion that I jumped in on was about control. Totally what God has been bringing up over and over in my life.

Does God do that in your life? Do you see a topic coming up over and over? I find those types of lessons the easiest to pay attention to because they are obvious.

What was my takeaway from the discussion? Being in control is somewhat of an illusion. It gives us false security. Security is, seemingly, what our generation craves and yet the very thing we thought would help us gain security (control) collapses out from under us when we need it most.

So, where do we get security? The constant kind (therefore the real kind…implied by the definition)....Probably from something that never changes.

That something exists that never changes is something to celebrate. Why? One reason is because it means we can actually find genuine security.

The Wilderness Period

Each one of us experience periods of time that are dry, seem to lack growth, and we feel alone. These are wilderness periods. They are not bad, in fact they are good.

Years ago I was figuratively beating myself up because I was going through a wilderness period. I was frustrated that I wasn't growing and wanting to spend time with God. But in the midst of this self-condemnation, God spoke. He told me that wilderness periods are an essential part of the growth of a seed. I should not beat myself up over them. Rather, I should realize that the wilderness period was, in fact, stirring up my desire for God.

It is really all part of the design.

COVID-19 has brought on a wilderness period for me. But, along with it has come the strong encouragement to pray. It isn't just something I thought would be nice, once upon a time. It is coming at me from all directions! So, I am praying.

What happens in the wilderness when one prays? I guess I will find out. My hypothesis is that I will get to know God's heart better.

Relationships and Emulsification

Well, these next few weeks are supposed to be rough. We are all separated, and yet many of us are about to go through some of the most difficult weeks we have ever seen. How do we navigate these next few weeks without the emotionally protective covering of a social life?

Although I don't have a perfect answer, I do know that knowing one's eternal destination helps a lot. Actually, knowing who will be with you every step of the way is what helps.

Today I was listening to a video conversation between a few people from my church community. They were talking about the distance, how the emotional energy from video chatting with friends, vs actually being together in physical proximity, does not provide the same energy. I keenly feel this, as I tend to get a huge amount of energy from being with people.

As I listened, I began to see this from a different angle. We often (especially these days, right!?!) talk about praying - which is what most of us might describe as 'talking to God'. But don't many of us also feel like 'talking to God' is synonymous with 'talking to a wall'? Prayer is devoid of life, of vitality, of energy to change. There is no 'real' protective covering. No tangible interaction with God.

How does one find that fullness? How do you take physical distance and desperate need for intimacy and fuse the two into something alive and full?

You need an emulsifier. An agent of emulsion. Something outside of either element to be emulsified.

(See Wikipedia and info on emulsion - two elements needed for emulsion - one constant, one not). An emulsifier is the agent of emulsion. Holy Spirit….or Christ?? Will be with us every step of the way...

And you need what? Friction…?

A mission? A job to work towards together? But, wouldn't that mean marriages would always work? Hm…what is the key to life-giving emulsion. Vibrant mayonnaise, perfect Hollandaise, perfect relationship between what otherwise could not mix?

The key is a catalyst. Something that will never change but that changes the other ingredients in the mix.

An emulsifier creates a literal physical barrier around one element so that it can stay suspended in another element.

Tonight I have a strong sense of urgency to produce something of value. To not just ride the wave of current events, but to take an eternal perspective and a stance in the offensive position.

Oh, God, what would you have me do with the gifts and talents You have entrusted to me?

Hebrews 13

John 16:33