January has flown by- I can hardly believe I’m baking week five’s cake today. That means February is just around the corner. (And yes, you have to wait to find out what I’m baking for week five; I’ll post it in a few days.) Anyway…
I thought I’d tell you about my baking routine, because its not totally normal. First, I start by looking over the recipe, making sure I’ve got the plan in place of what happens when. That’s pretty typical. Then,I heat up a cup of coffee and add lots of cream and sugar to drink while I’m in the kitchen baking and taking photographs. And then I turn on my music. I am a musician after all.
What do I listen to in my kitchen? (Inquiring minds want to know, right?) Well, different foods require different music. But, in this case I turn on Pandora and listen to the John Rutter station. Yeah that’s right. Choir music. I geek out to pieces like Rutter’s “Requiem” and Morton Lauridsen’s “O Magnum Mysterium.” Believe me, my cakes turn out so much better in these conditions. I slow down to the pace of the music and I take time to enjoy the work.
At any rate, I’ve realized my “kitchen life” isn’t so far off from my normal reality. Recently I began reading a morning devotional that has been so good for my heart. I’ve been reading the Scripture along with thoughts that set my heart and mind in tune, preparing me for whatever day is ahead. Truly, I do try to start each day in some way with the Lord, but this has brought me to a new place – creating the best of conditions for the day, the week and so on. Life turns out so much better when I slow down, put my eyes on Him and rest in the work He has for me.
This week I read Psalm 103 – and it has become my life-song for the week, maybe the month. possibly the year. It is a song that fits in to every nook and cranny of my life. My heart is calmed and I find so much peace! (My favorite verses are 3-5!)
Read and be blessed!
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness
And justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses,
His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
9 He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,
So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;
12 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father pities his children,
So the Lord pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame;
He remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass;
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
And its place remembers it no more.[a]
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting
On those who fear Him,
And His righteousness to children’s children,
18 To such as keep His covenant,
And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
And His kingdom rules over all.
20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,
Who excel in strength, who do His word,
Heeding the voice of His word.
21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,
You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.
22 Bless the Lord, all His works,
In all places of His dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
daily portion 