Though I’m a country girl who has been converted to wheat bread and kale smoothies, I have not yet been delivered from bacon. So I followed my little semblance of a morning routine: started my devotional, took a break to start breakfast, put the bacon in the oven, made my coffee and then went back to my morning reading. I curled up in the recliner, highlighted a few points, and jotted down a couple of notes. This was good information! I could smell the bacon, so I’d take it out of the oven in a minute— I just needed to finish this page.
By the time that I made it to the oven, the bacon was… let’s just say extra crispy. I had burned the bacon! I frowned and looked at it for a moment to decide if I could salvage any before tossing it all in the trash. I was sitting right in the same room, I knew it was in the oven, I smelled it, but I had neglected to take it out in time.
Sometimes there are people or tasks that are right beside us, but because we are focused on something else, even a good thing like my devotional, the relationship or task burns. We plan to say something, check-in, spend some time, file the paperwork, or encourage as soon as we finish what we were doing, but when we look up it’s too late. Our relationships are strained, our tasks are overwhelming, and we’re disappointed in ourselves. What relationships or tasks have you neglected because you have focused on something else for just a little too long, even if it was a good thing? How do you need to adjust your routine? The good news is that unlike my bacon, God can salvage what we have neglected! He is a God of restoration and new beginnings! Ask the Lord where you need to turn your attention and begin TODAY trusting in the new mercy that you already received this morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…
NEEDED THIS.
You are so faithful, hearing correctly, and “speaking out” … again, faithfully. Thank you, even through the sting… He will restore. He will heal. AMEN 💜
Thanks Fuller. I do believe that the Lord will restore!
Your words brought my heart to its knees!
Thank Robin – I’m happy that you got something out of my “burned bacon”!
Thank you!
You’re welcome brother. I appreciate you receiving this.
Reading this for the second time! So good! Even in the midst of this quarantine, I can get too busy in my own home when what’s most important is right in front of me…Thanks for sharing!
Agreed LaVett! It’s easy to focus on even the “good” stuff for too long. Thank the Lord that He gives us grace!
Thanks for keeping us on our toes. Even though the bacon burned powerful message.
Thanks Pops. I guess we have messages everywhere.
Practical Wisdom! 🙏🏽🙌🏽♥️
Thanks Jynel. We all need some wisdom right now.
Now you have me wanting bacon when I can’t have any meat on this JJ Smoothie diet. The one task I keep putting off is doing homework daily. Everyday I say I am going to do a little bit but I end up waiting until midnight the day it is due by 3am. The repercussions from that is I end up getting in bed around 3:30am to wake up at 7:30am to get ready for work. Procrastinating is so easy and I have to work on not using it so freely.
Yes LaTonya! Bacon is the best! Praying that you can adjust your routine some so that you can get some sleep!
It’s encouraging to know that I’m not the only one that has burned the bacon on several occasions.
Monica, you are definitely not the only one! Another friend texted me to say that the thing is to not give up on cooking bacon! I agree!
You know I love bacon so I think it is time to cook some. I do need to adjust myself to get done things that I have neglected. Thanks for reminding me that Father God, will help me.
Yes Mama, we sometimes do neglect people and things. And yes, the Father does help us to adjust!
We have tools to help us manage this life if multitasking. Next time put your oven timer on and sit at the kitchen table and keep reading.:) lol
I’m not one who can really discuss this am on work overload and awful at time management. Thank God for new mercies daily.
Pushing and Love, Von
Thanks LS8! And I guess that sometimes we should pull back on our multitasking and focus on taking out the bacon! Yes, praise the Lord for new mercies!
This was wonderful! Even through my frail moments of neglect, forgetfulness and disappointment God loves me enough to bring restoration and help me to begin again. Thank you! I appreciate the Word of Comfort!
Yes Ida. It’s awesome that He helps us to “begin again!”
Yes, we have to find a way to balance those things that require our attention. When we say yes to something, we are saying no to something else.
Agreed Quentisha, we do have to find balance!
Thank you for reminding me that’s God’s precious breath of life each morning is a chance to become a better person today than I was yesterday. Create in me a pure heart oh Lord.
Jurina, I agree that it’s worth remembering and being thankful for our daily breath – new mercies for us all!
Thanks for today’s post! As always very timely.
So I don’t make New Year Resolutions- I make New Year Birthday Resolutions, on my Birthday (Feb 15th). Well this year God put in my heart that my New Year Birthday Resolution was to take time to send 1 thoughtful letter/note/card to a different friend a week over the next year. I’ve moved a couple of times -lived & worked in several cities, went to 3 different universities & have a great group of dispersed friends/former colleagues that I’ve grown distant from & desperately wanted to reconnect. I made a list of 52 people I planned to write.
I was so excited about my New Year Birthday Resolution. Like you putting your bacon in the oven- I pulled out all the pretty cards, note paper, envelopes and fancy pens. I was all ready to start my New Year Birthday Resolution and then COVID-19!!! And all the pretty paper, pens and note cards got pushed to the side of my desk (my burned bacon!). Working from home took off like a bad “Road Runner”; but every so often that list of “friends to write” has been calling me & today with your post there was a loud SHOUT.
You are so right, God can salvage what we neglect. God gave me a great Birthday Resolution that He is calling me to get back to. Yes, my job does need to get done; but it shouldn’t take over. In Jesus’ name I pray for balance in my life and God’s guidance in getting back on track with my New Year Birthday Resolution. To God be the glory!
Sheree, thanks so much for sharing! I LOVE the idea of a Birthday Resolution! I understand the “reconnect” piece. For about a year or so it’s been on my heart to reconnect with some friends/family. I can only say that I’m seeing God do amazing things with small texts or brief calls.I’m happy that you’ve been motivated to move forward with your plan and I can’t wait to hear the results of your notes! God RESTORES what we turn away from when we turn back to it!
This is sooo inspiring! Both Tara’s and your messages are very motivating!
Thank you for the on time message (reminder), I believe we all have burned the bacon once or a few times in our lives. I thank God for using you, and I thank you for your obedience. God bless you 🙏🏾
Yes Elvira, I’m sure that we have all burned bacon from time to time! Thank God for His Mercy and Restoration!
So true! Thanks for the reminder!
Hey Amy, we all need reminders!
Thanks for sharing. I wish I could take the bacon off the plate in the picture. Thanks for this because I was just praying this morning I don’t want to be distracted by longer work days from other important things like the card that has sat on my bed for awhile to send to a friend.
Kim, I know! I feel like I’m working more than ever! We will get focused!