How to Turn A Zucchini into a Fiasco

The Great Zucchini Fiasco

“How do I get myself into these fiascoes?” I mutter, as I wipe the kitchen counter for the fifth time, hoping the neon green of zucchini pulp doesn’t stain. The phone rings. It’s my eleven-year-old granddaughter, who’s the starter for our three-kid-and-two-grands Sunday chat.

“Whatcha doin’, Gramma?” she chirps.

“Oh, honey, I am up to my elbows in Zucchini bread, zucchini muffins, and zucchini mini-loaves. I underestimated how much zucchini pulp would make a cup, so I had to triple the recipe.”

She giggles before saying, “That sounds like a mess.”

“You have no idea, dear girl. I started out with a large bowl, transferred the batter to a huge bowl, and then had to graduate the bright green goo to my enormous chili pot. I ran out of flour in my canister, so substituted a chocolate cake mix for the final cup. I wish you were here to help me!”

We visit for a while, me cradling the phone on my shoulder as I fill muffins cups and loaf pans. Finally, I sigh with pleasure. “How many loaves and muffins do you think I ended up with?” I ask, mentally daring her to guess right.

Her giggle reaches through the airwaves again. “I don’t know.”

“Three large loaves, eight mini-loaves, and sixteen muffins. And there is still a fifth of a zuke sitting in the fridge wondering if I forgot it!”

I’ve often joked how I use gardening in the summer and baking in the winter as therapy, because they’re cheaper than a therapist is.  But the zucchini fiasco has me re-thinking that philosophy. I spent three hours of my time mixing and baking, another hour cleaning up, and have yet to ask forty-seven people if they’d like to adopt a loaf or a set of quintuplet muffins to make their home complete. Isn’t my time worth at least two sessions with a shrink, in an office devoid of stained green counters?

The upside is, I have enough breakfast breads to last the winter, my grandgirl and I bonded a bit, and my neglected loaf pans felt needed.

But the next time a friend offers me an 18” long zucchini, I will run the other way!

The above story is an excerpt from my book, Touchable God, Finding the Lord's Friendship through Prayer

Do you like to bake? 

Have you ever experienced a fiasco similar to mine? Do tell.

When You Need Rest

A Blessing for You

May you rest in His embrace,

His friendship strengthen you.

May you believe His love,

His kindness make you secure.

May you flourish in His goodness,

His favor pursue you.

May the well of His grace

Give you courage to start over.

May His mighty power protect you,

His generosity make you great,

His faithfulness delight you,

His majesty awe you.

He is the gift

And the giver as well.

His blood will make you right.

His light will give you

All the wisdom and all the guidance

You’ll ever need.

He is for you.

Yes, Jesus is for you.

So, may you dance in His sweetness,

May you never doubt his affection,

May you walk in all His glory,

And may you be bathed in His riches.

--JEL

Do you like poetry? Have you written any?

How does this blessing make you feel? 

Are you too busy? Please let me pray for you

A Prayer for When You Are Too Busy

Lord, my friend is choking on responsibilities. She is trying to do too much, to be all things to all people. I know this is not Your plan for her.

Because she loves people and fears disappointing them, she says yes more than she says no. Her schedule is crammed to bursting. Because she accomplishes tasks with excellence, she’s a magnet to people who need things done.

And all this responsibility is causing her light to dim.

She was once so bright and eager to spend time with You, study Your life, tell others about Your love. Then she started working for You. And working. And working. The Devil knew he couldn’t tempt her with robbing jewelry stores or murdering her neighbors, so he dangled the fruit of the business of the Lord in front of her. He convinced her that to be a worthy Christian, she had to stay busy, and that to say no was unholy.

Silence his lies to her, Lord. Woo her back to the place of rest and sweet contentment in Your presence, where the beam of Your smile is enough. Return the light to her eyes and the spring to her step.

Please help her find the balance You lived in when You walked on earth. You knew when to say “Okay, I’ll do that,” and when to say “Not interested,” without worrying what others might think of You. You were secure in the Father’s plan for You, not needing to please others in order to feel that Your light was bright enough.

Teach my friend Your ways, dear Lord. She doesn’t want to burn out; she wants to sparkle and blaze with Your life, to do only those things You’ve called her to do. Then, when You come to take her home, she’ll shine in heaven with You.

In Jesus’ name, so be it.

References to Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, John 6:38

The above is a sneak peek at my newest book, Touchable God: Finding the Lord's Friendship Through Prayer. It is a combination of personal stories about my prayer journey with Jesus and prayers for friends in crisis. It would make an excellent Christmas gift for someone you are praying for!

I Don't Have Time to Pray!

You realize that to get the most out of the time you have each day, you need divine intervention. You can’t afford to waste precious time getting distracted or cleaning up messes.

Yet you may find yourself thinking or saying, "I don't have time to pray!” If by prayer you mean long hours on your knees in the dinky hours of the morning, then perhaps you’re right. But you can train yourself to utilize snippets of time to talk to the Lord as you go about your day, using what I call Prayer Cues—a great way to keep in contact with Jesus all day long.

I use everyday activities as reminders to pray for specific people and circumstances. When I make my bed each morning, I say Psalm 91, asking for protection; when I take a shower, I pray for my marriage; when I get dressed, I say healing Scriptures; when I put my make-up on, I recite prosperity Scriptures; when I clean out the cat boxes, I say Romans 8--not sure the connection there!

I have a friend who prays for her family as she folds their clothes. Another friend prays for the people in the cities and towns she passes through on road trips. We can intercede for our government leaders whenever we hear someone—even ourselves--complaining about them. Any common task or activity—getting in the car, waiting in line, washing dishes—can serve as a Prayer Cue.

            I'm not saying you shouldn't spend hours at a time on your knees, or take some extended time alone, seeking the Lord for help and wisdom. But if you feel like you need more face-to-face time with God, and find yourself saying "I Don't Have Time to Pray," try Prayer Cues. 

Have you used prayer cues? When and where do you do your best praying? 

Why Pray for Yourself?

Even if you're a praying person, I wonder how often you pray for yourself. Do you think it's selfish to ask the Lord for wisdom, strength, and favor? How about money to pay bills or give to those in need? Health and protection?

Why pray for yourself?

You are precious to God. He made you in His image, sent His only Son, Jesus, to show you the way to eternal life, and He is interested in every detail of your exisitence.

He cares very much if you fought with your spouse, kids, or in-laws over the weekend.

His heart breaks when someone bullies you.

He knows how it feels when one of your kids is in trouble.

He laughs when you tell a funny joke.

He smiles when you cook a great supper.

He's proud of you when you take baby steps of growth toward maturity.

He dances with joy when you forgive a wrong or refuse to gossip.

So you see. . . when you pray for you, you are teaming up with God to bless you and to make the world a brighter, more peaceful planet.

 

How will you pray for yourself today?

A Favor

May I ask a favor, dear friends?

My DH is attending his 4oth high school reunion this weekend, and I have been looking forward to pigging out on writing for three glorious days. I'm even taking Friday off of work. However...

Since last Friday I've been fighting this stuffy head, not-feeling-my-perky-self demon. And I hate the thought of missing out on the opportunity of a lifetime for some serious BOC time to work on my WIP.

Would you mind praying for me? That God will heal whatever is wrong, and that I can make some great progress while my hus is away? I'll so appreciate it.

And shoot me some prayer requests of yours while your're here. I'd love to pray for you.

Thanks!

Flying to CA

Today we fly to the West Coast to attend my Dad’s memorial service on Sunday. Kevin will do one of the messages and we will sing two duets, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” and a song Kevin wrote which was one of Dad’s favorites, “Jeanette’s Song.”

We would be so grateful for your prayers. All the words of comfort and kindness when my dad passed three weeks ago, nourished my soul more than I can say. It’s amazing how a few words spoken in love will cause your emotions to ‘turn a corner’ from despair to hope.

Which is one of the reasons we write…

Love you, Jen

The Most Profound Prayer

I learned from one of my favorite preachers, Joyce Meyer, that the most profound prayer you can pray is:

"HELP ME!!!"

I am applying the same principle to this wonderful neighborhood of Blogging Writers Supreme, and asking for your help.

I leave tomorrow for Chicago, to attend the Write to Publish conference. Will you please help me by praying for me?

Mostly, that I be a blessing to whomever I meet. I want to learn better story crafting, meet people who can help me get published, etc., but I don't want that to be my #1 goal. Always I want to put God first, and be a giver to those around me, encouraging and building up His kids. I believe if my heart is right and I seek to help others, God will give me the desires of my heart, without me pushing myself forward (This is a challenge for me, since I am a very gregarious, in-your-face type of personality in the flesh)

Thank you for all you guys have already done to get my pitches ready, and the encouragement you've been. I am a better person, Christian and writer because of your cheer leading.

I'll let you know what sweet ways the Lord answered your prayers when i return, and may even buy some books and session Cd's as prizes in blog drawings!! Yippee Dippee!!! Any requests?

Blessings on you as you write for your Audience of One,
Jen

P.S. I will be scheduling a post or two this week, but won't be able to respond til i return...
Love you all!