In Prague. For many years I have compulsively torn out or printed delightful sounding recipes. About a decade ago I realized that I will not live the hundred additional years it might take to try them all. I often google the “best of…” and should soon thin my cookbook collection. I visited a cousin recently and we both love lemons. She has three cookbooks just dedicated to lemon deliciousness so I am not the only one. I had a moment in the library this week as I shelved and ‘read’ (that means checking that books are in order) the shelves. I kept finding interesting titles or books I’ve planned to read but realized the same thing. My days are numbered. Yours are too. I won’t finish the reading I would love to complete. What do I really need to read before Heaven? I was overwhelmed by the thought. What have I been doing all of these years? I love books! I felt weepy. I did not come to volunteer in Prague to have these weepy moments. Then I had a Cinderella day. This is no reflection on the library or its beautiful people but I spent the day doing Cinderella stuff – sweep, mop, dust, clean, and chase down a few spiders. There was no wicked step-mom or step-sisters and also no Prince Charming. I’m not the best at these chores howbeit I am willing and offered my best. These are small things and I did not mind but it gave me pause. Hymns filled my mind but I keep/kept asking God what He wants me to do. I have been praying since January that I might have a clearer picture for the last 7/8th’s. As long as I am healthy I should go and believe that adding to the number in Heaven is the greatest thing we can do. Do I volunteer so that other ministries can advance, go home and write that book, or move nearer my family? Should I develop some wonderful relationships further? I’m a busy person and am I going in too many directions? Am I on task when I feel so unsure? From Our Daily Bread, 9/30/24, and from Zechariah 4:6-10, the Governor was working toward rebuilding the Jerusalem temple. The Israelites had been held in captivity by the Babylonians and now had their freedom. The going was slow so God declared, “Do not despise these small beginnings,” to counter their discouragement. Somedays we feel small. The task before us is lowly but we know that God uses the small things to build toward His purposes and somedays we don’t get to see it. My greatest joys were raising my children. Talk about busy – but it was all for the welfare of the precious people God allowed me to nurture. They belong to Him but those were the best times. Are there still some building times for me? The library is a place for books, coffee, and community. These are three of my favorite things so don’t feel worried about me. I’m in the right place today. Verse 6 reads, “…’Not by might or by power, but by My Spirit’, says the Lord of Hosts”. That is how He builds things we wants completed. One image used in the Bible is that of a vessel. 2 Tim 2:20-21 does refer to cleansing ourselves to be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Every means every teeny tiny good work and I just want to be sure. Dear God, please help me to take acceptable risks to be in your will.
