Orange You Glad??

Today God spoke to me. He spoke to me through an orange peel. And I'm supa' [orange] juiced about it!

I was walking to the copier at work and had a fleeting thought about what God has done in me and the gifts He's popped into full throttle. Then I went to the place that we really shouldn't go, but often do. I thought "What if it was all a fluke? Maybe the things I've done well in were just a once in a lifetime thing!" And I got a little discouraged.

Then I got hungry and remembered I had an orange, much like the one I had eaten the day before. I pulled it out of my purse and recalled the sweet peel deal I had done the day before. I peeled it in one peel! It was really fun. It was kind of hard and it took me a little time, and I got some juiciness all over my hands. But it was a cute little thing to "reassemble" my peel... for kicks. What??! Don't act like you never try and do that! So I attempted it again, and much to my delight... SUCCESS!! Peeled it in ONE PEEL! It actually went a little quicker and was a little less messy too, which was a plus.

I had to take a picture. I get excited about silly things.

Victorious again! So I plopped 'em in cottage cheese.

But as quick as I got that last bit of peel off my orange, my previous stream of thoughts were brought back to light.

And God spoke to me.

He said that these things that have happened are just the start. He's not done.

I realize things won't be exactly the same way every time. Sometimes it will be a little quicker. Sometimes a little slower. Sometimes a little messy. And sometimes spick and span. The only thing I really know is that He started this goodness in me long before I was aware... and He gets to decide when it's all done! And, my friends, today... via orange-o-gram... God told me He ain't done! Orange you glad He's not finished with the work in YOU?!!

The Food News

Whenever I eat something that pleases my palate, I have a natural tendency to tell people about it. I don't know if you read my soup story a few months ago, but it demonstrates this behavior in action. I will literally stop whatever is going on just to proclaim the greatness of a dish. The person I'm talking to may already know about the yumminess explained, the person might not even care or the person's interest could be perked. No matter the ears my food speech falls on, there's something that is inside of me which compels me to share the dance of my taste buds.

Good food should never be kept in secret

About two weeks ago, a client came into the office I work and the first thing he said to me was "You're the foodie!" So you can imagine my delight when the conversation lept into our latest food endeavors. There was a connection.

And God spoke to me.

I feel like this situation easily translates to all areas of life. When we share what we care about we spark interest in others, or bring out what is already in them. It forms a bond. A really great one.

I'm convicted to let this passionate way of action induced by good food seep into all areas of my life. Good food should never be kept in secret... and neither should any of our gifts or passions. When something excites us, we let people know (via words, via action... via mini-dance party?)! Likewise, when we start talking something up or doing things that reflect any given thing, it's usually a sign that we're excited! So whether we realize it or not... we're excited about stuff. Just look back at speech and thoughts. Excitement doesn't necessarily mean doing cartwheels and screaming from a mountain top... or it can. And, like it or not, being excited isn't always associated with happiness (but that's another blog for another day).

The things I care for, the things I have, the things that occupy my thoughts, the grace and mercy that has been given to me... the bread of life that sustains me and brings joy and love to the proverbial palate of my every moment, even when I'm unaware... I want to be obsessed with the things I was created for... and then I want the world to know!