God is Cleaning the Kitchen...Again.

Winter Snow by Chris Tomblin
Could've come like a mighty storm
With all the strength of a hurricane
You could've come like a forest fire
With the power of HEaven in Your flame

But you came like a winder snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

You could've swept in like a tidal wave
Or an ocean to ravish our hearts
You could have come through like a roaring flood
To wipe away the things we've scarred

But you came like a winter snow, yes, You did
You were quiet, You were soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Oh no, Your voice wasn't in a bush burning
No, Your voice wasn't in a rushing wind
It was still, it was small, it was hidden

Oh, You came like a winter snow
Quiet and soft and slow
Falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

Falling, oh yeah, to the earth below
You came falling from the sky in the night
To the earth below

I got to spend part of Christmas break with some of my best frineds. During our time together, Rebecca and Sara played this song for Ashley and me, and the lyrics almost made me cry. I think it gets to the heart of the Christmas story and reminded me that God could have come any way he wanted to save the world. He is all powerful and all mighty. He could have certainly come like a tidal wave or a hurricane - something huge and obvious. Instead, he came in Jesus - a small, fragile baby born and put in the care of a woman who was little more than child herself. He came wrapped in flesh and walked our earth and lived our lives. He died at human hands to sacrifice himself for us - what is more magnificent than that? Certainly, it is not the way the Jews expected their Messiah to come, and had I been in Jerusalem at that time, I'm not confident I would've been able to see God in Jesus. Would I have been willing to look in the right direction?

The song also reminds me of the scripture in 1 Kings 19 which says, "A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake, fire, but God wasn't in the fire; and after the fire, a gentle and quiet whisper." When Elijah responded to the whisper, he found God. In my own life, I confess that I am bit of a control freak - I like things done my way, in my time, according to my instructions. This character trait/flaw is probably what makes my students call me "strict" and why it makes me cringe to see a benevolent guest wash my dishes or clean my kitchen (they'll never be able to do it as well as I do, right??).

When I struggle with God, it is usually because he is stepping into the kitchen of my heart and trying to do a few dishes. In my head, I know that he loves me and that he is exponentially better at cleaning than I am. I know his way is better - the best - but it is almost never MY way. In the middle of the mess, I look for him to come in with hurricane force and the immediacy of a fire or earthquake, but that is not how God works. He scrubs and polishes and works slowly. He sees the big picture, and he knows that what, in my eyes, is a mess will create complete beauty. He is slow and quiet and soft. I have to look for him and talk with him and let go of my own expectations to see what he is up to. And while I readily admith that the journey is scary, because I know who he is, I know the end will be glorious - I mean just look at his track record!

Thankful...

Emily's update reminded me that I have not posted in a while, either. This has been a week where God has reminded me again and again all I have to be thankful for, and since I'm overdue on a post, I decided to list some of my many blessings.

1. For Jesus - for his love and his sacrifice and his constant presence. I'm so glad that he puts up with all my craziness, reassures me over and over, and holds my hand through times of fear and sadness. I'm thankful for his gift of grace and for all the blessings he has given me that I do not deserve.

1. My family. Thanksgiving was wonderful (even with all the empty chairs around our table), and I'm so thankful for my family and the encouragement, laughter, and support they provide.

2. My girls... Emily, Sara, Ashley, Rebecca, and Marianne (and family). Even though we are all spread out, I'm thankful that they are always close to my heart. I'm thankful for the phone calls, emails, and prayers they provide every week. I'm thankful that God has given them to me and made them my family in Him.

3. My friends. This week, I've been so thankful for the love and laughter God has given me in these people. Jenn Hemink and her willingness to spend time with me (even at the spur of the moment) and for the laughter we always share. Jenn Lynch and Tyler for their phone calls and dinner invites. Laura (and her family) and the way she gets me - I'm so thankful to have a friend who has known me so well for so long. And for random connections with old college and high school friends recently. Wow, God is good!

4. My coworkers - God has given me such amazing coworkers, and I'm so thankful for the environment he has provided me at Farmville. It is easy for high school teachers (or teachers in general, I guess) to become cynical and negative. I'm thankful for the ways we pick each other up and encourage one another when times are hard. I'm thankful that I work with people who want the best for our students.

5. My students. I'm thankful for the joy the provide me most days! Haha. They are a crazy, crazy bunch, but they make me laugh and help me know that for now, I'm right where God has called me to be.

6. My small group girls and Deb. I'm thankful for the opportunity to do life with them. I'm thankful for their faith and their willingness to grow. I'm thankful that they come week after week to learn about Jesus and that they live their lives for Him.

God is good. He is so good. And I love him for it...

The Best Chocolate Chip Recipe Ever

Much thanks to my friend Melissa for this one!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 cup light brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Place the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in the work bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 30 seconds, until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla for 30 seconds longer, until well combined.

3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to the mixer, while beating on slow speed. Beat for 15 seconds, stir in the chocolate chips and espresso powder, and mix for 15 seconds longer.

4. Prepare a cookie sheet with about 2 tablespoons of shortening or non-stick spray. Using a 1-ounce scoop or a 2 tablespoon measure, drop the dough onto the cookie sheet in dollops about 3 inches apart. Press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into 2-inch circles; there should be enough room on the sheet for 6-8 cookies at a time. Transfer to the oven in batches and bake for 20 minutes or until the cookies are brown at edge. Bake longer for crispier cookies!