Recently, I set out to make banana pudding, which I jokingly call “cookie pudding” because my husband doesn’t like fruit in his desserts. While I was putting the cookies in the baking dish, I glanced at the side of the Nilla Wafer box and discovered the official banana pudding recipe printed there. You might be wondering, “Isn’t that what you usually do?” Actually, no! A few years ago, I called my mother to get her recipe, which she shared without measurements—just rough estimates. I’ve been making banana pudding that way for years!

Out of curiosity, I checked the ingredients on the box to see if there were any differences from my version. To my shock, the first step of the directions instructed me to preheat the oven to 350°F. I thought, “Where did that come from?” I stopped reading the directions and immediately called my mother. “Mama, did you know that the Nilla Wafer box says to heat the oven to 350°F for banana pudding? What’s that all about?”

She responded that my grandmother used to make a meringue to top her banana pudding, instead of whipped cream. I was astonished! After quickly skimming the directions again, I realized that was the reason for using the oven—to cook the meringue. Who knew? Since I didn’t, I decided I was going to make banana pudding with meringue. My husband, however, doesn’t like change; he’s accustomed to Cool Whip or whipped cream on top. So, I planned to make a small one with meringue and a larger one with whipped cream.

While preparing the pudding, I decided to post a video on Facebook asking my friends, “What am I making?” I enjoyed the responses; with a couple of people correctly guessing it was banana pudding. Some of the other guesses included:

– Making dirty dishes (which was funny)

– Lemon meringue

– German chocolate cake

– Custard

– Cream pie, and others.

As I enjoyed the responses and stirred the pudding, I heard the Lord say to me, “Aren’t you glad you have a strategy and plan?” My eyes lit up with excitement and I had a Samuel moment where I said, “Woohoo, God! (well not that part, LOL!). Speak Lord, for your servant is listening! (this part! LOL!)

God went on to say to me, “Be careful about listening to people’s input when you are working on something (i.e. a project, a strategy, a business plan, or whatever God is telling you to do).” Why did he tell me that? Because God knows his child! When I started seeing the responses like German chocolate cake and lemon meringue pie, I immediately wanted to make one of those desserts and you know what? That was going to distract me, not from the current project I was working on, but from the things I was going to do after making that dessert. Things like working on this blog OR revising my resume OR contacting folks regarding events for the family reunion I am planning, etc, etc… You get the drift. DISTRACTED. I would have been focused on the GOOD and not the GREAT. I have heard it said that Good is the Enemy of GREAT! As Philippians 3:14 says, we must “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  

So it is with life!! We start out to make something and we feel pretty good about it so we let folks in on what we are doing and invite input. Those ideas and thoughts start you to question or maybe change course on what you were sure about accomplishing…Whew! Like I sometimes do. Maybe I share too much too soon out of excitement, but can I tell you what I am learning? Stay the course no matter what people say or the good suggestions that people give. You’ve got to stay the course and make the banana pudding that you were supposed to make! God may have awakened you at 3 or 4 in the morning (anybody else get awakened like that??) to give you the guidance and wisdom needed to get started. Stay the course! Press toward the goal for the prize!!!

It is so much easier for us to stay disciplined and press toward the goal when we have a strategy or plan. When you have one, nobody can talk you out of what you’re making, building, creating, or establishing.

While discipline is easier when you have a strategy, you also need to rely on discernment. As you chart out a path that you want to take, someone may come along and tell you about a different topping that you could put on the banana pudding. I have been eating banana pudding with whipped cream for more than 40+ years, but it wasn’t until I talked to my mother today and looked at the recipe on the side of the box that I realized that you could put a meringue on top!

That, my friends, does not change my strategy. It just allows me to make an adjustment to something that I’m already making. It opens my mind to the different possibilities I have available to use. Because, who knows, whipped cream may not be what the audience or your customer or your business needs at the moment. They may want meringue! You need to know about both so that you can give people what they need or desire and not only what you know. That is the power of a growth mindset.  This is what Proverbs 16:9 is saying: “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Don’t be so rigid that you are not humble enough to make the adjustments that God sends your way…even on a cookie box!

Carol Dweck says, “And why seek out the tried and true, instead of experiences that will stretch you? The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives.”

So be careful to not throw every idea out, but have the discernment that you need to be able to take what you need to make it better and grow. Romans 12:2 ESV says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The adjustments will work for good! Why? God’s word says so and it is yes and amen!!!

“Now thanks be to God who ALWAYS LEADS us in TRIUMPH in Christ and through us diffuses the FRAGRANCE of HIS knowledge in every place. For WE ARE TO GOD THE FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (II Corinthians 2:14-15, NKJV)

#SeasonedWord

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