A Nod From God

It was time. The stillness of the morning echoed the knowledge and surety of the decision. Thus- I leaned into that.
Hard…..

(I’ll back up the story a bit…)

My mom had called a few weeks prior in the early morning hour of 6 am. Dad was driving. They were together and he had a question for me.

I had assumed an early call from Mom (never typical) meant otherwise- like the emergency kind of otherwise. I’d been working with God on a big decision and felt like it would be easier if there was a big visible need to force the decision one way or another.

No matter what I decided, it would affect other people. Some would be sad. Perhaps even others – glad. 😉
Nevertheless, it was hard. It was really -Really -REALLY hard.

When you let people in and love them-
leaving them is hard- really hard- even if you only leave for a season.
The hard comes from knowing the next season together is never promised. God’s wisdom and timeline make it so.

So in the early morning hour, Mom’s call was inconsequential in my decision making. I was left with silence, my thoughts, and questions for God. I needed to know if it was time for me to return home…

I reflected on the advice I’ve given so many times in coaching.

“Stop spinning your wheels seeking for your answer and just seek connection with God.”

It’s actually so much less stressful and can begin immediately. The idea is to place cues in your spaces and places that remind you to pray.
To talk with God- throughout your day- all day -and tell Him the truth about what you feel and think. It includes prayers in silence or verbal communion- you get to choose.
But just seek connection-
potentially focusing on gratitude and love.

The success stories of those who’ve tried it aren’t mine to tell. But this one is.

It wasn’t long before my heart and mind aligned with God’s will for me.
I filled up an XL Diet Coke and grabbed a bag of Jalapeño Cheetos.
I had to-
Bren (my oldest) had taught me years ago. We were living in St. George Utah and he would come down from college seeking fun in the sun. Every road trip required Jalapeno Cheetos. I’ve adopted his snack of choice as my own ever since.

I’m not much of a crier, (Unless I’m hungry…😂) but I am sentimental at times and this was one of them.
Driving away was hard the first time, ten years prior, and seemingly harder the second. Dry eyes eluded me as I caught the reflection of sunrise in my rearview mirror.

It was time. The stillness of the morning echoed the knowledge and surety of the decision. I leaned into that.
Hard…..

So again I circled back to a quote that has been on replay in my mind.
President Nelson: “Of course it’s hard. Everything to do with becoming more like the Savior is difficult.”

The only way I feel like I’m becoming more like the savior is taken from a scene in His life where He overturns the tables at the temple.
I’ve overturned a lot of “tables” in my life…
But none of them have money changers and they are NOT in the temple so I’m pretty sure I’m still a major work in progress to becoming more like Christ.

My road trip concluded 10 hours later.
I couldn’t wait to go see my granddaughter. I needed her. She ran into my arms and I held her tight until she gasped for air and freedom letting me know the hug was a bit too long. 😂

It was time.
It was still hard to leave loved ones left behind two states away.
But the truth was sure and still…

I needed only to connect with God to hear it.

The joy greeting me on the other end of the road trip was immeasurable.
I could feel a nod from God and peace surrounding the hard but right decision marking a clear path on where God needed me-
For at least a season.

-JC

Reese’s Peanut Butter Krispy Treats

Peanut Butter Krispy Layer
Melt together:
6 Tablespoons butter
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
10 cups (16 oz) mini marshmallows
¼ teaspoon salt

Stir until smooth. 

Add:
2 cups mini marshmallows
7 ½ cups krispy cereal

Press ½ of Peanut Butter Krispy Layer into greased 9”x13” pan.
Melt ½ cup peanut butter into a quart size freezer strength ziploc.  Cut the corner and drizzle half of the peanut butter over the Peanut Butter Krispy Layer. Sprinkle 3 cups cut up Reese’s Peanut Butter cups onto peanut butter drizzle. Then drizzle remaining melted peanut butter on top of Reese’s.  Place pieces of remaining Peanut Butter Krispy Layer on top and gently press together.  
Let set. Garnish as desired with more melted peanut butter, milk chocolate and mini peanut butter cups (Trader Joes’s)