Since your first recipe is also my first recipe, let me share how the Recipe Cards began. I know now that even their beginning was not 'just by chance'.

I'm a doodler. Maybe you're one too. You know, like when you scribble or draw designs mechanically while thinking of something else? That's how the first recipe came into existence.

It was spring and I was sitting in the teachers' lounge doodling at a table; my thoughts on a beautiful scripture the Lord had shown me the day before. Buried deep in my Bible, the Holy Spirit brought it to the surface just when I needed it. So refreshing!

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11 (LPB)

The recipes (or drawings) came at a time in my life when I felt like saying, "I'm starving! I've eaten every bit of spiritual food I can find and I'm still hungry." I felt angry, bitter, negative, and disillusioned. I wanted to just go sit by a river somewhere and die.

Then, it was as though God spoke from somewhere inside of me, "Gwen, the food is here. I'm sorry you can't see it. Let Me make it simple...Let Me draw you a picture."

How kind of God to simplify.

As the pictures fed my hungry spirit with understanding and hope, I saw them as "recipes." Each, a set of directions preparing nourishment for my soul. As I used the recipes, accompanied by a daily portion of praise, prayer, and reading of God's Word, strength came into my life.

But the first recipe was the one that saved my life. Something in it gave me hope. I had never seen that scripture before although I've heard many others use it since then. "God has good planned for you with a FUTURE and a HOPE." When I felt I had no future, therefore no hope, God sent this scripture and small picture to rescue me.

The idea of how to clarify this scripture flashed in my mind. Quickly, I reached for a clean sheet of paper, folded it in half, and began sketching. Two daisys and a bright shining sun appeared, with words above saying, "God Has Good Planned For You."

"I love it!", I thought. "It's exactly what I want to say...this picture illustrates the way I feel. Well, at least the way I want to feel and the way I would feel if what God's Word says is true." And, of course, we know that God's Word is true and He found a way to show me.

The more I looked at the card and read the scripture, the happier I became. Having run out of plans for my ife, I found God had more. He must even have them on file because His Word says He knows what they are. He said, "The plans are for good and not for evil." WOW! Had I thought they might be evil? As I read on, He promised me a future and a hope.

His precious promise changed the whole "picture" of my life.

God has good planned for you too, dear one. God is good and all His plans for you are good. He knew you before you were born. Satan also knows you and will try to stop God's plans for your life, but God will not let him. You and God are a majority; the devil is a loser. Seek God every morning and let Him lead you one day at a time in His perfect plan for your life. Knowing Him personally is how you learn to hear His loving voice as He helps you understand His plan for your life. You can know without a doubt that it is GOOD.

Print out this little recipe card (picture). Place it on a small easel in your kitchen, on your desk at work, or some place you can look at it, until it becomes sealed in your heart. I did.