“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” ~ Philippians 1:6

Today I fell victim to attractive recipe photography and enticing ingredients.  The finished product is white chocolate caramel cashew popcorn, and it is delicious.  I’m probably going to have to give away most of it, to prevent myself from eating it all in one sitting.

Making the souped-up caramel corn required, of course, that I make caramel.  The trick with making good caramel, is that once you bring it to a boil, you have to let it boil until it reaches the firm-ball stage – without stirring it.

Seems simple enough, right?

But for reasons unknown, this particular set of directions can be incredibly difficult for me.  I really, really want to do something to help the process along – like stir.  Yet there has to be a reason that the directions say to leave it alone, so as crazy as it makes me, I do.

Sometimes God is working on something in us, and our instincts tell us to rush in and help Him out.  Maybe He’s promised to do something in our lives, and it just seems like it isn’t happening fast enough.  However, today’s verse in Philippians promises us that God will carry out the good work He started in you – until it is finished.

So put the spoon down!  Let God do what He set out to do in your life.

“Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.” ~ Matthew 5:12

For the seniors at the school I teach at – today’s the big day.  Graduation.

Family-wise, it’s a big day, too.  My youngest sister-in-law will be graduating with them.

Graduations are always kind of interesting to me.  Part celebration, part good-bye, they typically create the odd mix of trying to celebrate the future while simultaneously remember the past.  But what I do think is nice about graduation is that it’s some kind of marker; a symbol that you’ve accomplished something over the past four years.  You get to attend a ceremony and receive documentation that, yes, in fact, you have been doing something.

If only everyday life had some kind of milestone like this!

Everyday life doesn’t necessarily stop and reward you if you’re doing the right thing, or on the right track.  Most of the time, you simply have to keep going – trusting that God has you right where He wants you.  And that can be a tough thing.  We like the rewards and the accolades.  We want to know we’re doing it right.

But God knows this about us and has promised us rewards in heaven.  Our job – and it’s a tough one – is to keep going and trusting throughout our entire earthly life.  God knew we would face difficult times, but He promised us great things for enduring.