Yup, you see it. Right in the center of the picture is the little candle. Second shelf, sitting beside the huge bag of whoppers. True confession time, I have been searching for this candle for the past two weeks! I have looked in every drawer, in every room, and every little corner or random place I could think of in our house to find this little candle. We do NOT have a big house and I have been completely baffled as to where this candle may be.
This morning as I opened the cabinet door to get out a bowl for cereal I was hit square in the face with the sight of the fresh cotton candle. I cannot tell you the number of times I have opened this cabinet over the past two weeks and looked directly past the candle. The old saying "if it was a snake it would have bitten me" would be an understatement. It would have bitten me several times and had plenty of opportunity to invite it's buddies to join in on the fun! I have no idea how or why I have overlooked this candle so many times.
Before you think I'm crazy and have decided to write an entire blog about finding a candle in my cabinet I must tell you how AMAZING our God is. The exact moment I saw this candle my mind began to flood with lessons the Lord has been teaching me recently.
I have decided to read through the Bible this year. I have absolutely loved this experience so far. Over the past several years I completed a number of Bible studies, devotional books, and even graduated from Bible college where our main text book was the Word itself. Even after this time I have had so many moments over the past two months after spending time in the Word where I stop and think, WOW, how in the world have I missed that concept all of these years?
The Holy Spirit has enabled me to see so many big picture truths in His Word. Stories I have read many times before CONTINUE to have new and important application for my life. I have made a conscious effort to not just open the Word and read it quickly, but to seek hard after the Lord during this time.
I had opened the cabinet door many times not seeking and not expecting to find the candle. I missed it! Jeremiah 29:13 says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all of your heart."
I wish 2 weeks ago, that I would have opened up the cabinet in the kitchen seeking to find the fresh cotton candle. I could have been enjoying the aroma quite some time ago! The visual this morning was a vivid reminder how EVERY TIME I open the Word of God I should seek the Lord. I must seek to learn more about the character of our great God, seek to discover His guidance for my daily life, seek to learn more about His kingdom purposes.
I am so thankful for His patience with me. As many times as I open and close the cabinet doors and miss Him all together, His truth remains and He patiently waits for me and enables me to understand!
John 17:17, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth"
Hey Chelsea! It's Sandy Pitts from Fellowship Bible Church in Mullica Hill New Jersey. My husband Jerry and I met you on our trip to build a home out there with Pastor Jack and the rest of the NJ gang.
ReplyDeleteI just had to comment on this blog! You crack me up with the clean cotton candle. That is the my favorite scent and I am forgoing all other scents in my home except for that one! The very fact that you couldn't see it makes me laugh because I know just how little you have in Haiti. And then I noticed that it said mainstays on it which I am pretty sure means that it came from Target or Walmart or some equal store that I know you can't just go get 10 more out there like we can here.
When we were there I was struck by how often I was busy going through my suitcase or backpack looking for something when I stopped to think about how silly it was that I was a "slave to my belongings" while the Haitians were so simple and thankful for what they had. So I am trying hard to remember how blessed we are everyday since we came home and your candle message really brought it fresh to mind today!
So thank you for your blog, and sharing your faith with us!