It is true that life is full of seasons. We all are in different places in our lives. Though perhaps we wish to be in another season, God has allowed us to be in our present season for a reason. I need to constantly remind myself that I am where I am for a purpose. God has not abandoned me; He has a plan, and I am to follow him.
This really hit me the other day when a lady at work asked what I was doing over the weekend. I had just one special event, so that is what I said. She proceeded to tell me that I was lucky that I was single and didn’t have a family. Now, this is not the first time this has been said to me, and I am sure it won’t be the last. At first, I was deeply hurt, and that ache in my heart came back as this had already been said to me earlier in the week by another lady. I really just wanted to sit down and have a good cry right there. But then I thought it is rather ironic: here are these ladies who are married and have families and they wish to be like me, then I wish I could be like them and have a family. One person’s situation in life is not necessarily better, though we may think my life would be so much better if this and this and this were true to my life.
But would it really? Sure, being single I do not have anyone depending on me. I don’t have little whimpers in the night or sick children to clean up after. If I want to take off and go to the ocean, I can do so relatively easy. But neither do I have little chubby hands reaching for me, nor do I have a house full of little feet to run after or little tears to dry or little bottomless pits to cook for or booboos to kiss. These were my dreams, but God had other plans for my life.
Though I may never have my own family, God is still working in my life. He knows the whys in my life situations and has placed me where I am for His purpose. Maybe it is to be a witness to those women at work who drink and smoke and curse. Maybe I am to be an encouragement to those who are going through some of the same things that I have gone through or maybe to be in the nursery so that mommies can sit and listen to the preaching.
This season of life will pass, and I will be held accountable for how I use my life. Am I going to waste my time whining because MY plans did not happen, or am I going to redeem the time and use my life for the Lord?
This really hit me the other day when a lady at work asked what I was doing over the weekend. I had just one special event, so that is what I said. She proceeded to tell me that I was lucky that I was single and didn’t have a family. Now, this is not the first time this has been said to me, and I am sure it won’t be the last. At first, I was deeply hurt, and that ache in my heart came back as this had already been said to me earlier in the week by another lady. I really just wanted to sit down and have a good cry right there. But then I thought it is rather ironic: here are these ladies who are married and have families and they wish to be like me, then I wish I could be like them and have a family. One person’s situation in life is not necessarily better, though we may think my life would be so much better if this and this and this were true to my life.
But would it really? Sure, being single I do not have anyone depending on me. I don’t have little whimpers in the night or sick children to clean up after. If I want to take off and go to the ocean, I can do so relatively easy. But neither do I have little chubby hands reaching for me, nor do I have a house full of little feet to run after or little tears to dry or little bottomless pits to cook for or booboos to kiss. These were my dreams, but God had other plans for my life.
Though I may never have my own family, God is still working in my life. He knows the whys in my life situations and has placed me where I am for His purpose. Maybe it is to be a witness to those women at work who drink and smoke and curse. Maybe I am to be an encouragement to those who are going through some of the same things that I have gone through or maybe to be in the nursery so that mommies can sit and listen to the preaching.
This season of life will pass, and I will be held accountable for how I use my life. Am I going to waste my time whining because MY plans did not happen, or am I going to redeem the time and use my life for the Lord?
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”Ephesians 5:15-16
The choice is each of ours. We can either pine away wishing for what we don’t have, or we can use the resources that the Lord has given us for Him. Every season be it winter, spring, summer, or fall have positive and negative aspects, and so does each season of life. Let us delight in the Lord and let Him use our lives.
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”Hebrews 13:5
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not whither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”Psalm 1:2-3
Well, for Pennsylvania, the summer months have seemed to arrive in a blast of hot air. Yes, indeed, those hot, humid days when we don’t even want to think about food because it is too hot. Yet, we still need nutrition, and we still need to eat. Summer is the time for picnics and grilling outdoors so as not to heat up the house unnecessarily. Cool salads and hamburgers become normal fare, as well as large family gatherings. We gravitate towards cooler foods when it is hot. Gone are the days of the pot of stew simmering on the stove all day. Likewise, who wants a piece of warm apple pie when it is 100 degrees and 78% humidity? Okay, so I am not enthralled with the thought of summer, but one of the best things about this season are the desserts of summer. And since I am a huge chocolate lover, chocolate cream pie is a perfect way to cool off and enjoy the summer.
Chocolate Cream Pie
½ Cup Cocoa
½ Cup Flour
3 Egg yolks
1 Cup Sugar
¼ tsp. Salt
2 Cups Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
Prebaked 9-inch Pie Shell
Whipped Cream
Mix Cocoa, Flour, Sugar, Salt and Egg yolks in a sauce pan and gradually add in milk while stirring over medium heat. Cook until thick about 10-15 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Vanilla. Pour into baked pie shell and chill. Once chilled top with whipped cream.
½ Cup Flour
3 Egg yolks
1 Cup Sugar
¼ tsp. Salt
2 Cups Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
Prebaked 9-inch Pie Shell
Whipped Cream
Mix Cocoa, Flour, Sugar, Salt and Egg yolks in a sauce pan and gradually add in milk while stirring over medium heat. Cook until thick about 10-15 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Vanilla. Pour into baked pie shell and chill. Once chilled top with whipped cream.
Rachel was born and raised in a Christian home. She was saved at a young age for which she is thankful. She has lived in Pennsylvania her whole life. She worked in a bakery for 16 years before moving on in another direction. She has enjoyed cooking and baking over the years especially those foods rich in history. She is passionate about history and the stories of those who had so little yet were able to provide meals for their families. She appreciates the ingenuity behind the recipes written by those ladies who have pioneered the trail of food preparation before us. Food is an essential part of life and there is nothing sweeter to her than sitting together and sharing a meal together with family and friends.
Comments 1
Rachel
Thank you for the recipe I will try it for a Potluck…
Your story was definitely many people’s story for sure.
As you probably know God has big plans for you. In his time…