What is a blog??
a blog is a website that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer (Mirriam-Webster)
For those of you that know me, you know that I love to read, and I love to write!
In March of this year I took a trip back home to visit my parents. It was so nice to rest in the comfort and relaxation of home. While I did do some visiting, the better portion of this trip was spent lazing around in my parent's home doing nothing but read and enjoy my mother's cooking!
Ahhh...mother's cooking!! What a wonderful thought! Prior to my trip I dreamed of the meals that she would prepare for me while I was there. My mouth watered as images of Cream puffs and Strawberry -Rhubarb Pie danced around in my head!
When I think of my mother I always picture her in the kitchen. As a child, growing up, there was always an abundance of baked goods in our home. My mother's gift is certainly found in blessing others with food. I will never forget the meals that she would prepare, the pies that she would bake and take to friends or acquaintances that were perhaps ill or recovering from surgery, or had lost a loved one. I have always admired her selfless, giving nature. My friends have also come to love her for her skillful art in the kitchen, and while they welcome my visits, I believe they welcome her pies even more!!
Unfortunately, I was not blessed with this same passion for the kitchen!! Although I do enjoy baking at Christmas time, baking muffins with my children, and preparing meals for friends every now and then, it is common knowledge that I would much rather be curled up with a good book than puttering away in the kitchen...
Well, I have to say that over the course of this year, I have been thankful for my love of books. It has been within the pages of some wonderful books that I have found the wisdom and encouragement to carry on through some of the darkest hours of my life. I have learned so much about life and love, grief and pain, purpose and finding God in the midst of the crisis in our lives.
So I thought to myself, what can I do with this endless abundance of information? These golden nuggets of truth that have helped to set me free from so much pain and hurt? That's when the idea of Soul Food was birthed!
Sometimes the struggles of this life will get us down, will bring us to the point where we are tired and empty, our souls are parched and dry. How do I know this? Because I've been there...and in each trial, I have proven that when I have placed my trust in God's unfailing provision, He has provided me the strength to persevere - the spiritual food that was needed for my starving soul!
So my prayer for this blog is to simply offer nuggets of golden promise to some soul that is starving and in need of nourishment and refreshment. I know that to some people books can seem a little overwhelming, especially on days when the thought of getting up in the morning is a task that seems too difficult to conquer...but maybe a couple of key paragraphs, or perhaps one simple sentence will be the words you need to change the outcome of your day. Perhaps a warm piece of Strawberry-Rhubarb pie for your soul :)
How often will I blog...well, I do NOT want to set myself up for failure from the start!! So no promises there, just as often as I am drawn to something that I feel led to share...
I will leave you with this encouraging truth; No matter what your situation, No matter what life has placed in your path, our Heavenly Father really is the great "I Am", and He will be what it takes to meet your every need!
A reminder from the Prophet Elijah's life, that no matter who we are or what we have come from or accomplished, we all face times when we reach the end of ourselves, and that God is faithful in these times to meet our needs...
Blessings to you my friends...I look forward to journeying with you in the days to come!!...He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.7 The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night. 1 Kings 19:4-9
Tammy :)
