The Right Tool

It takes the right tools to complete a job successfully. Not only in carpentry, but also in cooking. There's nothing worse than getting half way through a recipe, only to find that I don't have a key ingredient to finish it. Yes, I think of my ingredients as 'tools' of sorts.

There was the time we were having friends over for dinner, and I was busy whipping up my signature dessert - cherry cheese danish. I carefully unrolled my crust and patted it neatly in the bottom of the jelly roll pan. While it was baking in the oven, I turned my attention to mixing the filling. Only after I spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, did I realize there wasn't a single can of cherry pie filling in my cupboards. I couldn't serve cherry cheese danish, without the cherries, now could I?! A trip to the grocery store became a must. I needed the right 'tool' to complete my recipe!

Then there was the cream cheese incident. My wonderful husband had volunteered to accompany me to the store. I wrote out my list and psyched myself up to tackle the grocery shopping. Not my favorite task. But I must say, I love it when my husband comes with me because he's a big help. He asks me what I need him to get, and we finish the shopping in record time. This particular time was no exception.

As we made our way home and I began unpacking the groceries, I noticed that something was missing. The cream cheese. The cream cheese I needed in order to make dessert for the neighbors. My husband had picked up cream cheese spread instead of cream cheese for baking! It was entirely my fault for not specifying what type of cream cheese I needed when we were at the store. I didn't stop to think that he couldn't read my mind. Oh well, we could use cream cheese spread on bagels. Back to the store I went for the missing ingredient for my recipe.

Much like my recipes, life requires the right 'tools' in order to navigate successfully. Prayer is essential. A lifeline connecting me to the very God of the universe who's in control of it all. The book of Hebrews issues an invitation, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need," (Hebrews 4:16; KJV).

Prayer is the avenue that allows me to pour out my deepest thoughts and concerns. And is the means by which I can praise my Heavenly Father. His word encourages me to, "Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you, " (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).

The Psalms are a virtual feast for my soul, as I worship my great God. "I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul, " (Psalm 138:1-3).

Prayer. A key ingredient for a successful life. Don't go through the day without it!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the tools You give me to live a successful life. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to talk to You in prayer. Help me develop a close relationship with You as I share my dreams and disappointments. Accept my worship and praise, and help me to live in obedience to Your will. In Jesus' name, Amen.