On the days you feel nothing is happening in your life, it’s the most delicious time to hear God speak.
I love to bake.
Probably because I love fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.
But, I think dessert is a good side benefit.
Psst… Let me confess. I love getting lost following the recipe.
But what I love most about baking is the wonderful aroma that fills the house when the dough cooks in the oven.
There’s something special about waiting for the change that takes place while I’m not looking.
What goes in is not what comes out.
No amount of extra productivity can shorten the baking time.
Each dessert requires a specified amount of time in order for the texture to be just so.
It’s worth the wait.
Your Soul Is Asking
On the days you feel as if nothing is happening in your life, those are the times your soul is asking you for some time to bake in God’s presence.
Instead of doing more to fill that space —
Pull back.
Lie down.
Go outside and walk in silence.
Sit.
Take a long shower.
Park your car. Roll down your window.
Find solitude.
Be available for God to speak.
When you take time to wait and listen for God to speak, you’re giving your soul dessert to eat.
So Eli directed Samuel, “Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, ‘Speak, God. I’m your servant, ready to listen.'”
Samuel returned to his bed.
Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel answered, “Speak. I’m your servant, ready to listen. 1 Samuel 3:9,10”
It’s interesting to see that the one place God chose to speak to Samuel was his bed.
It’s where Samuel rested, where he was alone, waiting and expectant.
Because God made our personalities and sensitivities unique, your place of rest could be — music, reading, taking pictures, writing, or baking.
It’s that place where you are released from productivity and and makes you available for God.
That is where your soul will find rest.
The aroma of having been with God alone is going to waft through you.
So go on.
Splurge some time to really listen.
And just like those brownies, your soul will smile with the dessert of hearing God speak.
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When was the last time you heard from God?
What were you doing and where were you resting?
Pull up a chair. I love company. Share your thoughts. Click to share a comment.
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** Don’t miss! ** If you are new to Faith Barista, I’d like to invite you to join me on my journey this month — 31 Days to Feed Your Soul. Click to subscribe by email and get each post in this series served up hot and fresh directly in your mailbox.
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9 Comments
I walk a 4 ft deep pool to exercise and relax. It’s then that I lay my concerns at his feet and rest that he’s got me lovingly safe.
So much happens in the wait: My soul waits for God, they that wait up on the Lord shall renew their strength….
I just came from a two week mission trip to Thailand and am in South Africa right now. This week has been spent with my mother-n-law and tomorrow I head back into ministry. As I have waited and been still this week, God has refreshed my soul, mended my acking heart, refueled me and showed me which path to go on in speaking for the next week.
That said, I love this. Not only have I had my fill of yummy desserts that I cannot get in the US but God has spoken and shown himself faithful in the wait.
What a great analogy! It is so hard for me to sit back and bake in God’s presence. ANOTHER great post Bonnie! Keep up the good work.
I, myself, love the smell of sweets baking in the oven! It’s one of the reasons I love the holidays so much. The smells of yummy food almost over takes the house. I want to wear that same sweet aroma when I’ve been in the presence of God. I look forward to moments alone, quiet before God, but it’s amazing the little time I take to practice that. Thanks, Bonnie!
Oh Bonnie ~ this ” reached inside ” me! Lying down stills my body, mind and prepares my soul to drink in His presence and His presents :). Sometimes I drift off to sleep . . . and He is there too.
The other place where my heart, soul and mind meet privately with Him is at our lake . . . seeing geese and ducks, turtles and people enjoying creation :). Thank you for sharing your life and love for Jesus. It matters!
I too find a lot of rest in baking and cooking. I find it hard to do unless my kitchen and living room are clean though, like I am already preparing for the waiting and needing that space restful. SO I clean and then bake, getting lost in the process and the silence of my house, just me, my thoughts, and God… And as I wait for the final product I am at ease, not distracted by anything in my surroundings – just me and God’s presence… and maybe a cup of coffee 😉
This last month I have so busy doing so much, I haven’t even really had time to get online, so it’s nice coming back to a post such as this. And this being my lazy day off, I am cleaning… with the purpose of creating the space to bake some bread. Such perfect timing for your post, Bonnie!
I, too, love to bake… this metaphor speaks to my heart… Thanks for the reminder that something happens when we’re not looking, something that we can’t speed up–but something worth waiting for, something that smells delicious… God is at work in me, even when I’m not aware…
Often when I lay down, I can’t quiet my own mind, so I find writing in my journal calms me more and connects me to God by pouring my heart before him.
Hello Faith, I subscribed in your To Feed your soul and it is really very helpful.
I get inspired and makes me think of how God loves all of us.
God is really a trusted friend. I would like to thank you for your thoughts.
God bless you..
Today I learned that God really wants to speak to us in any conditions we are at.
I live in Italy , and I am married to a wonderful italian man.
I have a daughter ( she is 25 yrs old) from my past marriage and she lives in Manila, Philippines. I am a Filipina by the way,
I was just chatting this morning with her and she told me that she and her boyfriend
had a little argument. (My daughter is a so-so believer, ) I told her on our chat that we can pray about it.
Her BF is a businessman and he owns several restos and pubs and I can only imagine the pressure that sometimes he gets and usually like any man he gets moody and cranky for anything. I told my daughter that we can pray about it. we did..and IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. She said she got a message from her BF saying ” I am sorry” peace!!..and we were both in awe!!! My daughter said..thank you mom..i told her don’t thank me, thank God..( talk about instant replies!!) what an awesome God we have!! Praise the Lord!!!