Wednesday Wisdom and Whisked Reflections

Welcome to Kitchen Chronicles: Wednesday Wisdom and Whisked Reflections (I hope you like the name, you'll have to let me know) - a little midweek pause where I invite you into my kitchen for an honest confession, lessons, and a sprinkle of God’s wisdom. Here, among the clatter of my baking trays and the scent of something yummy in the oven, is where God often finds me. It’s in these moments—that He reveals new insights and stirs truths I sometimes miss in the busyness of my life. I often find that God has a recipe of His own for me. Some lessons are savory, others sweet, and a few might even taste bitter at first, but they all have something to teach me and hopefully you also.  Today, I’m sharing a story straight from my time in the wilderness and the truths God has gently stirred into my heart. So, pull up a seat, pour yourself a cup of tea, and let’s dig into today’s lesson from the kitchen.

"Midweek moments in the kitchen where flour flies and faith rises. Wednesday Wisdom reminds us: we’re being shaped, sifted, and sweetened by grace—one batch at a time."

For 25 years, I’ve been waiting to launch A Message of Hope Ministry. I’ve held onto this name since 1998, waiting, praying, and yes, wandering a bit along the way. Funny enough, patience isn’t exactly my virtue—I’m terrible at waiting! Worse yet, I tend to wander. And while it’s tempting to pin some of that on my ADHD, I know the real truth: when things don’t happen on my timetable, I start looking for other things to fill the space. But here’s the remarkable part: while I wander, God, in His mercy, never does. He stays right by me, watching over me with love and patience. No matter how far I veer off course, He’s always near, waiting for me to turn back.

In a way, it’s like my own personal wilderness. Just like the Israelites who wandered in the desert, I’ve spent 25 years, 8 months, and 7 days zigzagging through seasons of drawing close to God, only to drift away again. I’ve gone around the same mountain countless times, thinking, “Alright, this time, I’ve got it.” But sooner or later, I find myself right back where I started, dealing with the same struggles and sins I thought I’d left behind.

And all the while, God watches over me with steadfast love, waiting patiently for me to come back to Him.

Psalm 139:7-10 says it perfectly:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? … If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

These years in the wilderness haven’t been wasted—they’ve been my training ground. God has used this season to teach me discipline (something He’s been working on with me this year especially—more on that later!). Most importantly, He’s taught me that no matter where I am, He is always with me. Even when I wander, He remains faithful, always ready for me to return. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds me,

“The LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This is where true freedom in God begins. Knowing that He never leaves us gives us freedom from fear, worry, and the weight of trying to navigate life alone. When Jesus is near, those anxieties lose their grip. Romans 8:16 tells us,

“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”

Because of His love, we can confidently know that we belong to God and that He’ll never abandon us. It’s not God who wanders—we do. And each time we do, He’s right there, ready for us to turn back.

Now, am I done wandering? Not exactly. Just this morning, I drifted for a solid three hours, completely wrapped up in my own plans. What I was doing was good, no doubt—but I didn't invite the Lord to join me. When I finally looked up, I felt that gentle tug on my heart to turn back to Him, and I did. And here I am now, sitting with Jesus, sharing this very story with you.

So, how do we stop wandering and remain in God’s presence? It starts with asking and seeking. Matthew 7:7 promises,

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.”

Seek His face. Pray. Listen to worship music. Open the Word or just take a minute to be still. These are ways to turn back to Him and reset our focus. Walking with God is made possible only by the Holy Spirit, who helps us stay grounded and keeps us from drifting.

To anyone out there feeling lost or stuck in the wilderness, know this: God has never left your side. He’s walking with you, guiding you, holding you steady. You are never alone— not in the waiting, not in the wilderness.

Thanks for joining me for another Blog Post of Confession from the Kitchen: Kitchen Chronicles. It’s always a joy to share these moments and lessons with you, each one flavored with a bit of grace and love from God’s recipe book. I hope today’s story left you with a taste of hope and maybe even some food for thought. Until tomorrow when I share the benefits of a Prayer Journal - may your kitchen be filled with good food, your heart with gratitude, and your spirit with God’s unending presence. See you next week for more reflections, right here in Kitchen Chronicles!

Love Y'all

Maria