Prayers and Thoughts

for Reflection

Lenton Devotional

2007

March 30

This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it - the LORD is his name: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
Jeremiah 33:2-3

I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.
Proverbs 4:11-12

If we fill our hours with regrets over the failures of yesterday, and with worries over the problems of tomorrow, we have no today in which to be thankful.

Author Unknown

GOD'S CAKE

            Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation!

            A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.  Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

            Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.

            "Yuck" says her daughter.

            "How about a couple raw eggs?"

            "Gross, Mom!"

            "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"

             "Mom, those are all yucky!" 

            To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!  God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!  God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.  Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Author Unknown

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6

Increase my vision, Lord.  In the brightest moments and the darkest hours, help me to give thanks.  In the face of fortune and misfortune, let me give thanks.  In the presence of pleasure and pain, remind me to give thanks. You have thought me that lessons and blessings are found not just in the light - but in the darkness. 

Amen