This week-end, our family is planning a big soul food dinner as part of a long-held tradition. Whenever out-of-town siblings come to Buffalo for a visit, in good times and bad, before they leave, we all gather for a meal full of joy, lots of laughs, and plenty of good eating! This time around, thank God, we have something wonderful to celebrate. We are all still riding pretty high since receiving such favorable news about my mom Annie's Breast Cancer treatment.
Anyway, when the time comes for this special supper, my parents and all the siblings, except those from out of state, contribute something to the grand feast. Guests get to sit back and enjoy themselves. The rest of us bring covered dishes, paper products, or sweet drinks. Usually the menu consists of some variation of the following: turkey, ham, stuffing, roast, fried chicken, candied yams, homemade macaroni and cheese, cabbage, greens, fresh baked yeast rolls and delicious desserts. The entrees may vary slightly, but one thing is consistent. The food is absolutely scrumptious. I get hungry just thinking about it.
Since cooking is one of my strengths, I enjoy whipping up great dishes prepared with lots of love and watching those dear to me enjoy them. During these periodic feasts, however, my loved ones don't want just any old dish from me. The request is always for the same thing each time.
"Dianna, please make your banana pudding,” my family members beg.
“Yours is the best, so I know you're making one for us, right?"
The latter is not really a question. It is a command—one I gladly obey.
I learned the banana pudding recipe from one of my aunts and added my own special touches to it over the years. Now it is one of our family’s favorite delicacies. And this week, my mom made a special request for the well-loved sweet delight.
There’s only one problem.
My left arm is still going through its healing process, making simple things like cooking almost impossible for me. But, who can say no to a loving mother who has been courageously facing such a trying season?
Not me!
So here’s the plan guys. I’m going to allow my husband Kenya, who is a great cook in his own right, to be my hands. I have the recipe and he has the strength to carry out the task. As long as he follows my instructions, the banana pudding will taste just the way it should; I'm sure it will turn out great.
This scenario applies to our daily walk with God. The Father has the recipe for our lives. All He needs is our hands to carry out His commands. Unfortunately, we often get in the way of God's plans because we try to come up with our own recipes for success, growth, productivity, and happiness. We constantly try to cook up witty ideas, develop clever solutions, and think of creative ways to to forge the path we wish to tread in life.
But that's not how it works with God.
Again, He has the recipe. All we have to be is willing vessels. The Father is waiting for us to simply say, "God, here are my hands. I am surrendered to You!"
Once we find ourselves in that perfect place of submission, the Lord will use us as a conduit through which His glory will be revealed to the world.
I admonish you to give God your hands and know He has everything under control.
TODAY'S PRAYER: God, sometimes it's so tempting to jump ahead of You and come up with my own recipe for joy, happiness, and productivity in life. Please forgive me. Help me realize that when it comes to fulfilling the purpose You have designed for me, there is only one thing I need to be... yielded. From this day forward, I want to surrender all my plans, ideas, and goals, and fully submit to Your leading Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
