Following Instructions

I love cooking, but I haven't always. It took me a long time to adjust and realize that. (Don't worry. This won't become a cooking blog.)

When I was around the age of 8, I wanted to make breakfast for my family. I didn't follow a recipe. I had strange notions of what cooking was and so put a myriad of things together (raw eggs, Sprite, mustard, etc) and called it good. My beautiful creation, as you can imagine, was met with much distaste. Since then, I believe, I shied away from trying my hand at cooking again.

Fast forward to marriage. I married a great man who came into the marriage having tackled such dishes as lobster and a turkey dinner by following recipes. Wow! I was extremely blessed. He was not so blessed. I hardly followed recipes. I set fire to burgers, boiled over dozens of pots, filled our house with smoke having tried to make chicken dumplings, and generally gave him inedible food. (He ate it anyway, without complaint, because he loves me so much.)

I have gained so much confidence over the years. Instead of refusing to follow a recipe and experiment, I learned the value of directions. I began following recipes. I fell in love with Julia Child, who made herself a chef simply by trying and learning. I started watching cooking shows and competitions. I challenged myself. I made many mistakes and terrible dishes. I pushed the envelope of my abilities. But this was all because I learned to follow recipes.

Today, I followed a recipe with so much confidence and trust in the chef (Justine D.) giving me the recipe. I find that I talk to the chefs that I follow on social media, or that have passed from this life. (My dear, Julia Child; 2004)

I'm currently following,

Justine D: @justine_snacks (Her recipe from today: https://justinesnacks.com/smoky-tomato-quinoa-with-tilapia/)

Jamie (The Anti Chef): @antichef

Dylan Hollis: @BDylanHollis

Laurie: @theicingartist

Two Plaid Aprons: @twoplaidaprons

Max Miller:@tastinghistory

Jordan: @jordan_the_stallion8

Alice: @fromscratchbakery

Anyway, enough plugs. Today, when I was making lunch, I was talking to Justine as if she was in my kitchen with me, helping me create this dish. At one point, it called for 1/2 cup of olive oil. I stopped and said, "Half a cup, Justine? Are you serious?" Then I'd read it again. Confirmed and ask her again. "Are you sure? This seems like a lot." Nevertheless, because I've been following her for so long and I trust her, I followed instructions.

I've been following Jesus for far longer, but do I follow His instructions as readily? Too often I will talk to Father and ask Him if He is right in the way He is leading me. I might convince myself that He didn't really mean that or I might listen to someone else who doesn't believe that could be right. But if I've been following Him so long, don't I trust Him? Don't I believe that He'll get me there or bring about the desired results by trusting Him?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I need to, but I don't always. Sadly, I'm more inclined to follow the instructions of the various chefs I love, rather than the God that I love.

What about you? Do you follow recipes? If not, I strongly suggest it. Do you listen to God's instructions and follow them without hesitation? If not, you should. We should. Let's encourage one another in following the instructions of the our Father who love us and wants the best for us.