The Rocky Road to Righteous Culinary Stardom

Now, that was a mouthful, wasn't it? I was thinking this morning as I do quite often about keeping the spiritual and the physical balanced. As a follow of Christ, you'd think it wouldn't be that hard but it is. On one hand, I long to be the next culinary wonder and on the other hand, I struggle with my motives. I know that the gifts I have come from Him...no problem. I know He is pleased when I use them...no problem. I know my gifts are to bring Him glory...no problem. The problem I have is keeping the balance between my passion for Him and my passion for the gifts He's given me. I happen to believe that at no time should the use of the gifts supercede the true focus...Him. Practically speaking, what can I do? I tend to get carried away quite easily and focus of any kind is a true problem for me. Here's my plan. Hey and if you've got any suggestions, feel free to chime in. I'm open to hearing what He may have to say through you!...okay Jane FOCUS...back to the plan.

Start each day with prayer.

Attempt to stay in communion with Him moment by moment.

Recognize as I use the gifts they come from Him.

Spend more time in His word, ie, the Bible.

Watch for how God is at work around me.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE

"heavy sigh"...the journey continues.

Cyber Stalking?

Recently, as I was perusing a famous television chef's Facebook page the thought came to me that I may be a "cyber stalker". I have to admit I felt a little weird going on his page several times a day posting what I deemed to be interesting little tidbits of information trying to entice him to notice me as an up and coming culinary genius. I "liked" his comments and made my own comments where I thought appropriate. I even uploaded or is it downloaded? a video of myself cooking for him to see. Come to find out, I did get his attention because when I showed up for a cooking class at his world famous restaurant, his restaurant chef looked at me when I introduced myself after class and said something like "Oh Chef _____ said you might be here today." And with my mouth somewhat gaping open I said, "You know who I am?" Said the famous restaurant chef, "Oh yeah, we know who YOU are." It wasn't so much what he said but how he said it and how he looked at me as he said it. Ugh...not what I was going for! I sheepishly turned and left the restaurant. My only consolation was that I hadn't acted like a total freak in the class and believe you me, I certainly didn't look the part of a half crazed, middle aged cyber stalking, culinary wanna be!

Needless to say, I haven't posted very much on The Chef's Facebook page lately. I'm still slightly mortified to THAT think HE thinks I'm a total nut case. I do admit, though, I am a little nutty but you and I know, I'm completely harmless. But geesh, how do you convince a famous chef who attracts all kinds of real nuts, that you aren't one of the REAL NUTS?

"Heavy Sigh" It's a fine line between passionate and crazy. I'm walking that line, though...sometimes gracefully and sometimes not!

BTW, just in case I end up in jail for cyber stalking, promise me you'll come see me, will ya?