My Husband, My Maker

Good morning daughters of grace,

I have some awesome news for you!  The chef is getting married!  Yes!  Praise God, He has sent me a wonderful man of God, John.  I’m grateful to the Lord and I am so excited about starting my new life with him.  At almost 37 years old this is my first marriage and I am SO happy I waited on the Lord.  Can I say this man is perfect?  No, but he IS perfect for me.  Can I say we won’t have hard times?  No, but I know the Lord will get us through them.  I KNOW that trusting in the Lord is the best thing that we can do as a couple, just as a I learned as a single. 

Recently, one of the other Mom Squad moms asked me about waiting on the Lord during my time as a single mom.  She suggested that I offer any words of wisdom that may help encourage others that are living in a time of singleness.  Wow!  What a task!  I can only share what I went through.  I can’t say that I’ve never felt lonely or sad.  I can’t say that I’ve never questioned God about why I was still single but what I can say is that the Lord is faithful!!!  He kept me and protected me when I made and wanted to make poor choices.  Literally removing relationships from my life and causing people to never call me again!  He encouraged my heart when I’d feel down.  He gave me business opportunities to take up my time and He filled my life with the most wonderful friends a girl could ever ask for, single or married.

 

For me crying out to the Lord was a major help for me.  It may sound silly but it was the only thing that gave me peace.  I desired a husband and had for many years.  I felt the “clock” ticking.  I was a single mom and I was ready for someone to love!  I’d ask the Lord time and time again.  I had blind dates with friends of friends.  I asked friends for advice.  A lot of the advice was good but I’m not even going to go into some of the insensitive comments and bad advice that was given to me while I was waiting.  The fact was, most of my friends were married and I desired someone to serve the Lord with.  On several occasions I’d lie in my bed and cry out, asking God WHY was I still single.  What was wrong with me that everyone else was getting married but me?  WHY LORD WHY?! One day the Lord showed me this scripture”

“For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the Lord of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth.” ~ Isa 54:5 NASB

I held on to this scripture for dear life.  My husband was the Lord.  When I was struggling to pay the bills I talked to the Lord about it.  He was my husband after all.  When my body yearned for the touch of a man I cried out to the Lord to help me not to make bad choices and ease the tension in my body.  When I just needed someone to talk to because all my married friends were busy I learned to talk to my HUSBAND.  My Husband loves me and He will never leave me nor forsake me.  As I prepare for marriage and to begin life with my earthly husband I’m reminded that my heavenly Husband is always taking care of me.  I’m reminded that before I stress about bills, health and everything else I can need to take comfort in my Husband who holds the world in His hands.  My soon to be husband is a wonderful, caring man who can’t wait to take care of me but he is NOTHING like my Husband, my Maker, who loves me like no other! 

Take heart daughter of grace!  Your Husband is already here!  This week’s recipe is one for the single ladies specifically.  It’s so easy to “eat” your way to peace but that’s not what the Lord wants.  Chocolate is great but it’s not better than Him.  That said, please enjoy, in moderation J this recipe for black bean brownies.  Packed full of fiber, protein and chocolaty goodness, they are low in sugar and absolutely delicious!  I've made them several times and they are always a hit!  No one will know they are made mainly with black beans!

Black Bean Brownies

1 can (15 oz) black beans, no salt added

1/2 cup agave syrup (or sugar)

1/2 cup self-rising flour (or ½ cup whole wheat flour & ¾ tsp baking powder & ¼ tsp salt)

1/2 cup egg whites

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 tbsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

6 tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a food processor or blender, mix all dry ingredients (except chips) together. Add agave, vanilla, and egg whites.  Mix until incorporated and smooth.  Add the chips and stir well. Spread into the 8x8 baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean. Cool for about 1 hour at room temperature.