Orange you glad . . .

Tonight as I was praying for a friend God showed me something to share with her and I did but as I did I realized that those words were for me as well. God put her on my heart and as I was praying I got a picture of a big juicy orange. I was definitely going to need a bit of an explanation for that and God was faithful to provide. Although I  got this picture while praying for a friend, I think there is a bit of Godly wisdom for all of us.

 . . . So here is this big juicy orange that we know beneath the bitter skin is a sweet juicy goodness. Not only does it taste fresh and sweet but it is also good for us and is refreshing. But there is this peel in between us and that goodness. Wrapped in a tough outer layer is what we hope for and are waiting for. We just have to get through that layer of bitter skin. So often we rip through the peel, throwing it into the garbage without one thought for its benefit. All we know is that it is between us and what we want. 

I have recently been learning about and appreciating the cooking process. This includes a number of people utilizing this “garbage” which has taught me a thing or two about the peel of an orange. People cook with it! Its called zest and adds spice and flavor to a variety of items. How often do we push through the bitter parts of life throwing them away as pieces of survival that we just get through to get to the “good stuff” even if that “good stuff” is what God has promised us? I think we do that! It is regularly our way in life . . . we are just getting through this or that or today to get to tomorrow. 

But the fact is that God has good things for us everyday and we just might be missing them. We are going to go through tough times and situations but we can choose to clench our teeth to get through the bitter to get to the sweet or we can say God I think you for today and that you are giving me good things on the way to where I am going, not just when I get there. Use the zest to it fullest extent and flavor. Some even say that the zest of the orange has more flavor than the orange itself. Don’t miss out on what God has for you today waiting to get to tomorrow!