God’s Been Missing the Pancake Breakfasts
Three times in Chapter 80 of the book of Psalms the writer Asaph repeats “Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.” Vs. 3, 7, 19.
Anytime something is repeated it as if God is saying, “just in case you missed it, here it is again.” So these verses caught my attention this morning.
As my grandchildren are growing up, their busy lives cause them to have less and less time to spend at Noni’s house. Where once upon a time, a few nights a week, I had overnight guests with giggles and pancake breakfasts. But lately it’s been David and I and a bowl of Lucky Charms, or if I’m feeling the need to be healthy, I’ll eat a bowl of Special K.
Yes, I know that’s not necessarily healthy, but let me pretend, okay? I said that to say this, I’m pretty sure God has been missing His pancake breakfasts too.
Those days when we “Turn again” and come back to the throne of grace for some serious one on one time with God. Not a quick bowl of cereal and out the door, but a sit down breakfast, with real conversations about the day. I imagine His face to be like mine when my grandchildren show up at my door and my face lights up with excitement. Asaph the Psalmist said that when we turn again to God it causes his face to shine!
As I traveled through those five discouraging years of struggling to find joy in the church that I had come to know the Lord Jesus in, I got further and further away from studying scripture. I continued to write for several years, mainly using it as a tool to counsel myself through the word of God. I still do that. But the longer I counseled myself, and the worse things got, (anyone surprised by that news). I sunk into a pit of despair.
Beginning in a new church, serving God again and becoming active in the ministry was balm to my soul. But, now I find myself in another spiritual battle. As I care for my 89 year old mother, who I adore, my ministry has become one of caretaker. I have less and less time to spend serving in the church. That’s not a complaint, that’s the reality of the day. So while my relationship with God has grown deeper over the past months, my writing and creativity level plummeted. So The Jesus Chick light dimmed greatly. Just thinking about it made me sad. Writing is the way that I express what it’s like to live for Christ. The good, the bad and the ugly. But for months, my expression of faith was empty outside the walls of my house and my Mother’s.
Her dementia is progressing, but she’s still a joy to care for. She thus far has not been angry…well except at the poor little gal that helps us. And she’s angry with her for being there because she doesn’t think she needs help. I on the other hand need lots of help, but only the kind that the Lord can provide. Which is why I’m so glad that my writer’s block has been lifted. And why these words of Asaph meant so much to me. It was if God was saying… “Shari, I’m so glad to see you again, thanks for stopping by.”
What about you? How is your relationship with the Lord? Have you shared any pancake time with Him lately? Let’s make today the day.
