The Bracelet: Part 2

            The third thing that I learned from my bracelet experience is to listen to the “still small voice.”  There was a clear impression for me to check lost and found and I ignored it the first time.  I really thought that the last time I wore my bracelet was to the mall—but apparently it was to church. I was mistaken. My husband encouraged me to check the Lost and Found area at church and I ignored him. Another lesson: accept worthy advice!   I was obviously mistaken about my conclusions and I had checked all he wrong places.

            Do you ever ignore the “still small voice?” Do you ever ignore the wisdom of others?  We think humanly and reason things out, but there is a still small voice that tells us something—like, “No, I don’t have peace about letting my child go to that birthday party, it won’t be a popular decision, but she’s not going” or a still small voice that says, “Give so and so a phone call, or send a card.” When someone asks you to do something, develop the practice of postponing an answer rather than impulsively responding. Take time to think, pray and listen for the small voice. We have still small voices every day that we often ignore because of the competing noise in our heads and around us. Scripture and the voice of the Holy Spirit will lead you in right paths. We also look in the wrong places for answers to our dilemmas. Sometimes we try to fix and manipulate; take things into our own hands; or choose the easy way or popular thinking over God’s wisdom. I ignored the first “small voice” but the following week I didn’t. Once I had decided to follow, locating the lost and found area wasn’t easy. I was momentarily tempted to wait another week, but the prompting to continue was strong, so I continued. Had I not done that, my charm bracelet would have been sent to the Salvation Army that week. God gave me a second chance. God does do that with us too. He gives us second chances. He loves to show mercy to us and grace. There are times we say, “I blew it.” God is there to pick up pieces for us when we listen. There’s a passage in the book of Jonah that says, “Those who follow idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.”  Sometimes our strong determination to listen to ourselves rather than God’s still small voice is our idol. We miss His mercy and grace and go our own way.

            Finally, I prayed about my bracelet but I didn’t obsess about it. I felt bad because it was expensive and very special to me—it cost my family a lot of money but it was their thought that was special. Don’t obsess and hold tightly to things, even those people you love. I was disappointed that my bracelet was lost, but I didn’t go ballistic. I initially looked everywhere but later I didn’t think about it every minute or every day. Hold on to things and people you love loosely, not that you are irresponsible, but know that God has the rights to them. Allow God to work in your husband’s life and quietly pray for him rather than nag.  Your children may choose a career path or college that isn’t what you had in mind and your expectations for them aren’t fulfilled, and they make different choices.  Determine that you love them too much to desire less than God’s best for them.  Philippians 2:3 reminds us to look on the interests of others first, rather than our own.

            Think about my bracelet and grow in your confidence in God. Remember that He knows every detail about your life. Stay active in prayer—even when answers are slow in coming.  Maybe find a friend to pray with on a regular basis. Develop the practice and patience of being quiet enough to listen to the still small voice. It may be an inward impression, a verse of scripture, even a comment from a friend that you didn’t even solicit, yet it seems to speak to you. Learn to recognize it.  If you have also developed a practice of regularly reading your Bible, scripture will come back to you when you need it.  The still small voice is there to protect you and provide for you. Remember to hold on loosely. Our “things” and our families are gifts that are given to us, but God is the owner—we are here to manage but hold on loosely.

Reflection: In Jeremiah 31:3, we read, “I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” How does this verse encourage you? Does it give you confidence in God’s work in your life, remind you to pray, listen for His small voice, or remind you to release your grip and hold on loosely? © Marilyn Nutter 2007

                                                           Coconut Angel Bavarian Dessert

A former professor, a gourmet cook who enjoyed entertaining students for dinner, gave this recipe to me.  Wally was from Hawaii and of course, recommended using fresh Hawaiian coconut when preparing this dessert. The convenience feature is using a commercial angel food cake. This is a light and scrumptious dessert and perfect for Spring!

Pour two packages of unflavored gelatin into ½ cup water and set aside.

Prepare custard:

2 cups milk                               1 cup sugar

2 Tbsp. flour                             5 egg yolks, lightly beaten

dash of salt

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and stir constantly over low heat.  When custard bubbles,  add gelatin mixture.  Stir until blended and cook for 2 minutes.  Set aside to cool.

When custard is cool, beat 5 egg whites until stiff.  Set aside.  Beat ½ pint whipping cream.  Fold egg whites into cooled custard. Fold in whipped cream. 

Break or cut pieces of angel food cake and line bottom, sides and center cone of tube pan. You can also use an 11”x15” pan, lining bottom and sides.  Reserve a few thin slices for the top. Pour custard mixture into the pan and place thin slices on top.  Cover with saran wrap and chill overnight. 

When ready to serve, loosen sides or remove clip if that is the type of pan you have, and invert on serving plate. (If you are using an oblong pan, leave the dessert in the pan.) Cover with Cool Whip or whipped cream (unsweetened).  Sprinkle shredded coconut on top and sides.  You might want to toast almond slices and sprinkle almonds too. Slice and serve immediately.  © Marilyn Nutter 2007