The Missing Ingredient

 “Thanksgiving is the language of faith.” — Sarah Pearsons

If you’ve followed along on my journey for any point of time, you’ll know that I have big dreams. I can at times be this super optimistic, reach for the stars, fly to the moon, do the impossible type of dreamer. The thing is, I can actually SEE the dreams that I have in my heart. Like, I want to travel the world so I at times have made time to see what that looks like for me. But the problem I’ve found is that I at times have found myself discouraged when what I see in my heart doesn’t match what I see in my world.

From there, I either doubt or complain about what hasn’t yet become a reality for me. Even though I see it in my heart—most times at least—it’s meant a lot more to be living it now. It’s like, it’s in arms reach but when I reach out to take it, it’s pretty much unreachable—at least that’s how it feels. I then find myself crying out for the manifestation of these dreams, begging, complaining and losing hope. What’s the issue??? WHY ISN’T IT HERE YET?! (Feel free to hear all the anger in that lol)

Then I’m reminded of a few things. Have you ever made a cake or done anything that required you to follow a recipe? Or maybe put together a bookcase or some item that comes with instructions? If so, in the process, have you ever missed a step? Maybe you were missing a vital piece or maybe the recipe required two eggs and you only had one. If you’re anything like me, you probably googled egg substitutes or hoped that it would still turn out the way you desired it to. Then, you find the finish product to not be what you had hoped for. You were missing a step, a piece or an ingredient.

Believe me when I say I know how frustrating that can be. Especially when you’re making it for a party that’s coming up soon with little to no time to restart because you waited until the last minute in the first place. Ask me how I know. (Insert embarrassed emoji here lol) But whatever the task at hand required, the instructions must be followed exactly in order to produce the desired result. 

Next, I think of two people who are an inspiration! I will definitely be chatting it up with them in Heaven. Their faith, their patience and their strength! The people I’m referring to are Abraham and Sarah! At an old age God made a promise to them that they’d have a child. Yet, they were old. Not old as in they were at an age where it may be possible but probably complicated. No, they were past childbearing years! But God made a promise and Abraham counted God faithful. His and Sarah’s names were changed from Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah. (Names mean a lot to God!) 

They had every natural reason to complain, doubt and worry yet, they believed God. They hoped that what God said would happen and they believed it would. They didn’t even have a Bible or the Holy Spirit so their story in and of itself is an inspiration. It’s like, “What’s your excuse, Jasmine?” I only say that to make a point that, I have a Bible and the help of the Holy Spirit. I’m basically set up for success—as we all are. 

My point in mentioning Abraham and Sarah and following instructions is—the dreams I have in my heart are birthed by faith and obedience. It takes faith in God to see the manifestation of my dreams and obedience to the instructions He’s given me. Faith and obedience win the prize. It all sounds so simple and my argument has been, “Easier said than done.” But that no longer works because I’ve seen it done in the Word, in the lives of others and in my own life. Maybe not my current big dreams but the dreams that were once big. 

“What does this have to do with Thanksgiving or thankfulness, Jasmine??”

I’m glad you asked. 😉

Remember the quote above? “Thanksgiving is the language of faith?” I wonder if the missing ingredient to the dreams we’re baking or the lives we’re creating is thankfulness. What if thanksgiving is the key that unlocks whatever necessary to make my dreams come true or to create the life that I truly want to live or that Jesus died to give me? The life that I’m supposed to enjoy. What if I’m not enjoying it because I’m not thankful for what there is to enjoy about it. Like, hello—I’m alive and well. I have family, friends and a great job. I have clothes to wear, a place to live. And the list goes on. 

What if the missing ingredient is thankfulness and what if that thankfulness leads us to the next step of obedience required to see the manifestation of God’s promises to us? If faith and obedience leads us into the will of God for us, maybe it’s time for us to look away from what we think we’re missing and look to God and thank Him for all He has given us. If we can see the promises of God in our heart—we’re really close to seeing them in our lives. But we must take the next step of thanking Him for what He’s done and for what He will do. Then, we must be obedient to do whatever He tells us to do next. One of many things’ thanksgiving does is it changes our perspective. It takes our focus off of what we think we’re missing and puts it on our Source—the One who promised in the first place. 

Yes, today is Thanksgiving but we’re free to live a life of Thanksgiving every day. Watch what God does in your life when you incorporate this ingredient of faith. I’d love to hear all about it!! Send me an email or comment below! Thank you for reading, I love you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Be Encouraged

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,” (Romans 4:20)

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)