An Experience of God's Faithfulness

This past week challenged me, and in the midst of the challenge I experienced the faithfulness of God. Just as His word confirms, He is a faithful God! (Isaiah 25:1; 2 Timothy 2:13; Hebrews 10:23; Hebrews 11:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:23:24; Romans 4:21)

My husband Sam and I returned to the bed and breakfast that we previously owned. Our purpose in returning was to give the current owners and innkeepers an opportunity for respite. We expected that just like riding a bike, the task would be resumed without difficulty. We did not consider that the oven was new, an Italian model, with some quirks. This was the first challenge. The inn was filled with eight guests, requiring cookies and a sweet morning treat to be prepared. Fatigued from the events of a family reunion earlier that day, I set to work in the evening. I baked cookies frequently, so this task should have been easy. However, the cookies appeared to brown quickly, causing me to respond fast, burning my thumb as I scrambled to remove the tray from the oven. The burn was significant, as was the pain! Cold water and ice helped, and then some fresh aloe. To my surprise the pain ended quickly. In tears of upset, taking a deep breath and asking God to help me, I placed the first batch in the garbage and started again. I needed Holy Spirit wisdom with a plan for the second batch; how should I conquer the oven? The hour was growing late and I needed my efforts to be successful. I received a plan: 25 degrees less, and one minute less cooking time. Perfect peanut butter chocolate chip cookies resulted! God wanted me to know their perfection. The guests raved about them; they eat them for breakfast; they took them by the handful for snacks later on! Only God could have created such a delicious outcome that was experienced by many!

The second morning began with a plan that was quickly altered. Sam was feeling poorly with a cough and some congestion. He could not attend to any innkeeping responsibilities. Quickly I prayed, “Jesus, it is You and me”! At 6AM I gathered myself together and began to work. Everything was coming together perfectly. The breakfast plan was German Puffed Pancakes with fresh berries. They are created individually in small baking dishes and cooked in the oven. As the name suggests, they puff up significantly during baking, and then create a small center cavity once removed from the oven. I had already learned the trick for baking, 25 degrees less and slightly less cooking time. However, the melted butter in the bottom of the pans, spilled over into the oven causing smoke to billow out rapidly when it was opened as I assessed the cooking process. Smoke rapidly filled the kitchen setting off the smoke alarm! I tried to close the doors from the dining room, where the guest gathered. Sam came to my rescue by tending to the alarm, but the pancakes required careful tending to, which met opening the oven door, causing more smoke to be emitted. Finally, the pancakes were done, and looked perfect. But the smoke problem remained despite windows and doors being opened. I quickly worked to cover the pancake center with berries and garnish with whip cream and mint leaves. As I served the guest, I apologized for the smoke and hoped that the pancakes had not been ruined by it. Just like with the cookies, the guests devoured the pancakes, commenting that they were delicious. Like Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, who were trapped in the fiery furnace and left not even smelling like smoke (Daniel 3:27), I felt that this was how God had protected the pancakes as there was no smoky effects! Once again, God showed Himself faithful and able!

There was so much more work to be done at the inn with my husband offering limited assistance. As all the guest departed, I needed God’s strength to clean rooms and bathrooms, change beds, do laundry and iron sheets. And yes, there was more baking to do! God provided physical strength, stamina, and organization. Sam was able to keep up with laundry and help with bed making. I was equipped to do the rest. There was no guest staying at the inn on Wednesday. This was helpful. Achy from work, even my feet feeling bruised on the bottom from so much standing, I wondered how I would feel the next day as more guest arrived. Morning came and I felt excellent! All the fatigue, achiness and soreness gone! I was energized and ready to go! I felt like the Israelites, who arrived at the Promised Land; not a feeble one among them (Psalm 105:37) and even their clothes were not worn out (Deuteronomy 29:5)! God is good, faithful and kind! He equipped me and strengthened me! In case you are wondering, the remainder of the baking, which included cookies, sweet breads and muffins, turned out perfectly, much to the delight of the guests (and my delight as well)!

This is the same God Who longs to be faithful to you! He desires to fulfill His promises and bless you. He desires that you may discover, believe and enjoy His benefits! This doesn’t mean you won’t be challenged by life as I experienced, but it does mean that you can be confident in Him; He has provided everything that you need for life and godliness, available to you, by knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3)! You can be in expectation of His faithfulness!