Lord, You Want me to do What!?

"taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8

"When God calls you to step out of your comfort zone—like baking cookies when you can barely boil water—just know He equips the called, even in the kitchen."

Let me start by saying, God has an incredible sense of humor. I come from a long line of amazing cooks - generations of cooks. My mother? She was the Michelangelo of the kitchen especially during the holidays. My grandmother? A culinary legend, authentic dishes that a chef from Italy came to see her about her recipes. And me? Well, according to my mom, she believed that the talent to cook must have skipped a generation. I on the other hand am a hot mess in the kitchen. I've managed to set chili on fire - yes actual fire. We ate pizza that night and I taught my sons to use a fire extinguisher at the ages of five and seven. But here's where the story gets funny: God called me to bake cookies. Yes, "bake" cookies. Me the woman who can barely boil water without a mishap.

For 25 years now, I've been in my kitchen, mixing dough and offering up prayers, baking batch after batch of cookies - not for profit or fame, but to give them away. You see, God didn't just call me to bake cookies: He called me to share His message of love and hope to strangers. Each little bag of cookies that leaves my kitchen comes with a handwritten scripture verse, a sweet reminder of God's love for whoever gets them.

Now, let's circle back to the irony of it all. Even though I can't cook to save my life (seriously, don't invite me to bring the main dish to a potluck). my son Chris? He's a chef, and not just any chef. He's a chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York City. I'm over here setting chili on fire, and Chris is plating up gourmet dishes for food critics. I have no doubt the Lord smiles about this one.

But here's the beautiful thing: When God calls you to something, even if it seems like the most unlikely path, He gives you the grace and the equipping to do it. Maybe I'll never be able to whip up a fancy dinner, but for 25 years, I've baked cookies with love and in faith - and each bag that is given away is a little testimony of God's goodness and love for all His children.

So, if you ever feel like your unqualified, remember me and my flaming chili. God can use anyone for His purpose. Even if your chili combusts, your life can be a blessing and an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with a stranger.