Making the Flat Cakes..
Who doesn't love flat cakes??
My BIL offered the family an easy read devotional book at Christmas titled ‘Ancient Paths by a friend of his, Toby Shockey. It was interesting timing for me because I have spent a lot of time studying the Old Testament over the last 4 years and the devotionals are all from OT verses.
Interestingly verses that seem to the human mind, maybe insignificant and we breeze over them while reading....
But remember, this IS HIS WORD.. all of it, if He wanted this to be in His Word, then it IS significant and we must pay close attention to what He is saying. I found that as I read and re-read the scriptures it’s like watching a movie over and over.
I pick up deeper ideas and understanding each time, I see new parts of the scriptures that did not have a chance to stand out the 1st or 2nd time reading.
God can keep layering our understanding as we read time and time again. We can’t underestimate how God can ‘layer the onion skins’ ON us.
(It’s been said by therapists that we have to peel the onion layers off us and get down to the bottom of things, but I believe God can put them ON us as we read His Word in order to strengthen us through our time spent in His Word and our Faith grows from it!)
Back to the book… To be honest, even though I was intrigued (because of my studies in the OT) I did not start reading it right away.
Maybe you are like me and have a fondness for reading but find that there is limited time to actually read. It seems like I used to have a lot more as I would read while doing cardio, on the plane (which I used to travel almost weekly) and sitting outside taking in some sun and breeze.
But we can all agree that the days seem so much busier now and the time I do spend reading I feel called to read the Word of God, the Bible, before other books.
When I have time or rather MAKE time, this is where I should spend it, for I know, even 5 mins of reading God can use for His glory and our blessings!
However, I recently I found a few spaces here and there and thoroughly enjoyed the short devotionals taken from the OT. They have been a source of encouragement for me or someone that I communicate with countless times already too.
I find it so interesting how God uses our time spent with Him ‘when and how’ He wants, at any time… these are Divine Appointments. My Mom taught me about these years ago and it is so fun and challenging at times to see how God brings those to us and usually it’s not till AFTER the appointment that I can see it was Divine!
STAY WITH ME ON THE FOLLOWING»
Warning! If you truly ask God for these ‘divine appointments’ understand that God will give you the ‘desires of your heart as you delight yourself in Him’ by your prayers of praise and petitions’ and He will answer your prayers…
But these don’t usually happen on YOUR timing.. but on His.. and in my experience His timing typically doesn’t fit MY timing.. but what we can guarantee because IT IS WRITTEN that His timing is ALWAYS perfect.. and usually these appointments bless someone else at that moment even when it’s not fitting OUR timing..
But then afterward, we are also blessed and our testimony is strengthened by allowing God to work in our lives… on His timing. Might want to reread that last bit.
Kinda sounds like a riddle!
Now, back to the book, Ancient Paths. There are a few examples from these devotionals that have stood out to me and were beautifully timed- for my good and instruction at the given time I read them.
However, today for example, while speaking to my Mom, who works full time for a skilled nursing and assisted living home, I shared what I felt God revealed to me from one of the devotionals on the following OT verse:
1 Chronicles 9:31 31 and Mattithiah, one of the Levites, the firstborn of Shallum the Korahite, was entrusted with making the flat cakes.
In order to keep this to ‘MINUTES’ I cannot rewrite the entire devotional (but if you grab this book, you can read directly).
The essence of the devotional was that even small, seemingly little daily tasks, like making ‘flat cakes’ may feel as if they don’t really mean anything in the big picture. However, God can use anything for His purposes. The maker of the flat cakes, Mattithiah, was ENTRUSTED with making these.. these flat cakes were used in the OT as a part of the worship practice in the temple to serve the Lord!
As we all know, serving the Lord in any capacity is significant!
For the last 40 years or so, my mom has had a heart for teaching and sharing God’s Word. I am so thankful and appreciative of how she has taught me and instructed me, putting this verse found in Proverbs to practice.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child (Monica) in the way he (I) should go and when he (me) is old he (me)will not depart from it.
Today, as we were catching up, I felt she was focusing, and rightfully so as she takes her work seriously, on some work things that were taking her focus off of ‘making the flat cakes’/serving the Lord.
While her job description is not to provide care for the residents in the facilities directly, her office IS in the building and she does come in contact with them daily. They all know her and many look for her attention every time they see her.
I gently reminded her that God had placed her in this line of work for His reasons, admittingly yes some are a great blessing to her, but other reasons are for what she brings to those humans who may be in their last few years of life. That just her being there, as she carries the presence of God, brings a different source of light and life to these people.
The ‘flat cakes’ she makes are the times she shares an encouraging word with them, reminding them they are important, loved and cared for in the quiet moments she comes in contact with them.
I know when my mom looks at someone they feel the love of God, when she speaks to them, she chooses words that add value to their lives. These are her daily ‘flat cakes’ that go unnoticed by others but not to God!
He sees all and knows all.. He knows how her ‘flat cakes’ have impacted these lives even if she can’t see the immediate effect because of the health or condition some of them are in.
God has entrusted her to be in this place for a time like this. She is older than many but still younger than many. Interesting how God uses us in so many ways and even when they seem insignificant, they are not.
If you are struggling to see where your ‘flat cake making’ is be sure to ask God is willing to give generously and He will open your eyes to see His view of you.
If you feel like there are no ‘flat cake making’ and are not hearing anything, then start here and pray this verse over yourself..
Ps. 139:23-24
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
He is a good Father who will provide you with these things.
Verse to contemplate and take to heart:
Jeremiah 6:16
Thus says the Lord:
“Stand by the roads, and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way is; and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.
Live Radiantly… today!
Thanks for joining me on this journey.
Monica