Iris will be doing a reading of her children’s book, Moriah’s Wings, and will have all of her books available at the Chinese Christian Church of Thousand Oaks, on August 3rd, 10:30- 12: noon. Look for her in the Fellowship Hall where she will have all of her published books, including her latest novel, The Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Cafe in the Fellowship Hall.
The address is: 216 W. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
Sometimes a single question can unlock everything. In today’s excerpt from the upcoming release of the sequel to The Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café, Elise is traveling by train, haunted by childhood memories and searching for answers about faith, healing, and whether we can ever truly escape our past…
***
As I sat in the silence, listening to the steady hum of the train’s engine pressing towards Phoenix, a picture of Papa and Nana’s farmhouse came to mind. It was small and sat close to the railroad tracks, but its rustic charm and large neighborly porch made it easy for them to greet neighbors and stay in touch with the world as folks passed by. The land surrounding their property was mostly barren, with a small patch of vegetables and several rows of corn. But the chickens roamed freely and were conveniently too dumb to avoid the railroad tracks. I could almost hear Nana’s soft voice saying: “Sometimes, their stupidity makes it easy to decide what to have for dinner. ‘Course, it also puts a crimp in the number of eggs laid, too.”
Remembering the bedroom at the back of the house, I smiled. On the dresser was a small jewelry box. I always thought it was magical, the way—once opened—a tiny ballerina popped up and twirled around as tinkling music played. I’d never seen anything so beautiful.
How funny that I still remember that music box and that train rumbling by. I couldn’t have been more than three or four then, but I was grateful for the memories. They were bright, colorful snapshots that stubbornly refused to fade, unlike many of my other memories. I strained to see my grandparents’ faces, but that memory was dim, only a faded impression of two loving people in my life.
Another memory of them stirred, too. It was pressed into my heart like leaves preserved between pages in a book. One night, I’d overheard Nana telling someone a tragic story—was she telling my dad, or mama? I couldn’t remember. But the story I heard that night painted a vivid, lasting impression in my mind.
“Johnny got his foot lodged in the railroad tracks while walking home from school. He had just turned nine. A tramp tried to help him—even tried to stop the train. But the conductor didn’t pay any attention to the bum. So, my kind, fun-loving boy died. My other son, Billy, was killed two years later when a horse threw him into the path of a car.”
The deep sorrow in her words floated through my memory as clearly as they had filtered through that wooden door so many years ago. My grandparents had suffered deeply. Yet during my brief time with them, they never seemed broken. One thing struck me clearly—my grandparents were people of resilient faith and love.
Maybe one day, I’ll have a strong faith like that, I thought. They had just as much reason as I did to be angry and mistrustful of God, yet they weren’t. Instead, they were joyful, kind, and loving. So why am I angry at God again, even if the recent physical attacks on me were brutal? Especially after God rescued me once more. Why would God still want me after I rejected his love again by depending on drugs? A voice slithered into my head. Would God want someone who calls themself a Christian yet lies to her friends, and lets herself get addicted to pain meds?
I cringed.
A fresh wave of shame washed over me. But looking across from me at the sight of Mell’s open and loving expression amid my mess was a picture I couldn’t ignore. Her bright smile has continued to radiate peace and acceptance no matter how far I stray.
Nana used to say: “You can take a person out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the person.” What about taking damage out of an abused soul? I wondered. Maybe taking a train and coming here eight years ago took me away from the dangers of the Burrows, but did I travel far enough away from my demons? The biting question pricked my mind with a nagging edge.
***
Want to know what led to this pivotal moment in Elise’s journey? Catch up on her harrowing journey in The Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café. Then, join my email list for deeper insights into the characters and themes that shape this story, plus exclusive excerpts and behind-the-scenes content from the upcoming sequel!
Click here to join The Buzz: A Monthly Newsletter from Iris Carignan!
This is the link to the landing page. https://mailchi.mp/iriscarignan.com/buzzemaillist
Summer is upon us! We’ve been enjoying the gorgeous weather here in Southern California—blue skies and cool breezes. I’m so grateful for longer days of sunshine and the abundance of growing things (my garden is currently blooming with beauty!).
There’s something else I’m grateful for: I’m continuing to make great progress writing the sequel to my first novel, The Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café. As I weave my way through familiar characters and new plotlines, I continue to thank God for the stories He’s placed on my heart and the opportunity He gives me to write.
As we kick off summer, I thought it would be fun to share some mini-stories with you. In The Buzz… Lily suggested to Mell that she bake some “mini-pies” as samplers for the customers at Chicky-Pie’s Café to taste. Well, you can consider these stories as tasty samples of what’s to come in the sequel!
If you aren’t already on my email list, SIGN UP HERE! I’ll be sharing new stories and behind-the-scenes updates on the coming sequel with my email subscribers!
→ In the mini-story for June, I’m pulling an excerpt from a chapter where Elise climbs to the top of a mountain with two friends. As she ascends, she’s carrying so much more than the weight on her feet. But when she reaches the top, God gives her a beautiful perspective shift that brings a sense of peace:
After our slow trek up the mountain, and a short rest, we made it to Pulpit Rock in ten minutes. The view was spectacular, and I could see why it was called that. It looked just like a preacher’s pulpit. Standing there for several minutes, I soaked in the beauty of the view. As I peered out at the valley and all its lush color, depth, and dimensions, a new sense of perspective stirred within me. There I was, on a small mountain top looking down at everything. I realized that this view is just a tiny glimpse of God’s perspective on us. Not just on me or this valley, but on the whole world with all of its troubles and beauty. It made me think about how God has a better view of my problems than I do.
Getting back on course, we made the turn down the backside of the mountain. The trail began to slope downhill, and the closer we got to the other side, the more I felt the coolness of its shadowed protection from the sun. Hmm, maybe even the down times and shadows in our life can be a blessing in disguise, I thought to myself.
Rounding another turn downward, our mouths gaped with awe at a waterfall that flowed from a huge rock jutting out high above our heads. Standing inside a rocky cavernous area, we gazed through the cascading wall of water that fell like a curtain of shimmering liquid. After lingering a while in its encompassing peacefulness, we sat, letting the waterfall’s mist refresh and cool us while eating our picnic lunch.
After the hike… I sat for a moment to thank God for all that the day had held. Turning to today’s devotion led me to 2 Samuel 22:2-7, “And he said: The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in Him I will trust. My shield and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold and my refuge; I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies. When the waves of death encompassed me, the floods of ungodliness made me afraid; the sorrows of Sheol surrounded me. The snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried to my God. He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears.” (NKJV)
The timing of God’s word was stunningly accurate to everything I’d experienced and reflected on today.
Whew, I can surely relate to Elise’s closing sentiment; God’s word often meets me right where I’m at, uplifting me and strengthening me in whatever season I’m in. Another thing I can certainly be grateful for! 💜
I hope this mini-story inspires your heart, encourages you to see the world differently, and gives you a sneak peek into all the stories and goodness to come! If you’re new to my blog, welcome! I’m so glad you’re here!
The above excerpt is from my upcoming novel. Get to know Elise and her friends by catching up on book one, The Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Cafe! The book is available here on Amazon and here on Barnes & Noble.
And don’t forget to join my email list so you’re the first to receive new stories and release updates on book 2! You can join my email list HERE.
Iris Carignan invites you to her painting demonstration in Pastel
Thursday June 19th 6 to 8pm
Sponsored by the Simi Valley Art Association
at: Simi Valley Rec. & Park District Center
4201 Guardian St, Simi Valley, Ca.
The finished painting will be given to some lucky winner
Iris’s published books and art prints will also be available
for purchase during the meeting.
For further information contact: Tom Evans, (805) 584-4422
Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like one of your parents? Most children do resemble their natural parents at least a little. And how many of us as parents have also hoped and prayed our children will only pick-up our good traits and instructions rather than our flaws, bad habits, and mistakes?
Several years back there was a commercial on tv with a young boy whose father catches him with illegal drugs. The father scolds him for it, then asks: “Where did you learn to do that?” And the boy says, “I learned it by watching you, Dad!”
While preparing to teach Romans to our small group about the importance of obedience, I was led to consider 1 John 3: 1. It says: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” The scripture goes on to explain the importance of being obedient to God in our behavior by abiding in Him. But as I prepared further I was also led to a scripture that has always made me uncomfortable and curious about its’ application.
It was In Matthew 7:21-23 where says: “not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, I never knew you, depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!”
If that scripture doesn’t scare you at least a little bit, you’re not reading the part where it says they were casting out demons and prophesying and doing all kinds of wonders, yet Jesus says he never knew them. How can that be? I would wonder. After all they must be believers if they can do all those kinds of things.
And that is when a new perspective on it came to me. When the light went on and I understood it.
This time, I saw the key words that make a difference. I read the clue at the beginning and end of that verse. Those people were not “doing” God’s word. They were practicing “lawlessness,” not obedience. And they obviously weren’t spending much time with God or seeking His guidance, or they would know and resemble Him and He would know them. Therefore, Jesus tells them “depart from me, for I never knew you.”
So, here’s what I saw this time. With the awesome privilege of being called the children of God, comes the vital importance of spending time with our Heavenly Father. That, much like children who spend a lot of time with their parents and learn to pattern after their behavior, we also need to spend a lot of time with our Heavenly Father so we can begin to know and resemble Him better.
And as we let Him cleanse us daily, and practice what we’ve learned from God, our actions will exhibit our faith in God, and we will be recognizable as Christians, (Christ like), not children of the devil practicing lawlessness.
But don’t misunderstand me in this point. I am not saying that we can earn our eternal life by obeying God’s law or by doing good things. Romans 3:11 says “There is none righteous, no not one.” And Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It is only by what God has done for us through the sacrifice of His son Jesus, that we can have eternal life. “For by grace, through faith, you have been saved, and not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8)
The result of having a true faith means you want to please God. Being more Christlike is a sign of being born again and God’s Holy Spirit is within you. Spending time in the presence of Jesus through prayer, reading and practicing His word will equip us to better understand and know the truth of who God is. And as we abide in Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit will be manifested in and through us with “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self control.” Galatians 5:22
For as it says in Colossians 1:10, “that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
And much like the woman at the well who found herself in the presence of the Messiah and came to have faith in Him, we’ll not only have our thirst quenched, the water we’ll receive will flow into an everlasting and living water that carries us into eternity, (rather than being told to depart from Jesus because He never knew us).
When it comes to troublesome worries, what’s your style? Are you the kind of person who tends to pace the floor when you’re worried about something? What if there was a way to find peace in your circumstances?
I confess, that worry is my bent. Yet, over time, as the Lord has worked in my heart, I’ve come to realize that prayer is the best solution to things that I have no control over— I.O.W., just about everything. That praying, rather than pacing the floor, brings me peace.
Hey that’s three “p’s”!
Did you catch that I’m leading to some more “P’s” of paying attention? Well, just the other day, God laid some new ones on my heart, so gotta obey His leading and share. But this time we’ll not only look at the blessings of some other “p’s” of paying attention, we’ll examine the consequences of the alternative. We’ll look at choices between good and best as they apply to a spiritual walk. We’ll focus on practicing what God tells us to do or, not to do and learn how obeying His word can lead to awesome blessings. And paying attention to His warnings can help us avoid a lot of pain. Of course, as it happens, all the effects that jumped out at me regarding obedience, begin with the letter “p.”
As I contemplated the additional principles, a well-known Bible story came to mind. In Luke 10:38 it tells of how Martha was annoyed with her sister, Mary, for not helping serve Jesus. She asked Jesus to tell her sister to help her. However, Jesus said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part. Which will not be take away from her.”
In case you didn’t catch that, notice that Jesus was telling Martha to pay attention to the more important things, (like her sister Mary was). He wasn’t saying that serving him was a bad thing but pointed out her bent to “worry about many things,” and that choosing to focus on Him was the better choice. Mary was practicing the principle of “…fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12: 2, and that’s always a good way to start our focus of what is most important.
So, in the next few posts, I’ll touch on some helpful ways we can practice obeying God and how that can produce good fruit. We’ll look first at God’s Promises and Provision for us then His Protection, followed by a deeper search about the Peace He can give. Three more “p’s” of practicing His word will follow those, including Power. Finally we’ll see another story about a woman named Mary and how her practice of paying attention to Jesus resulted in being mentioned positively for centuries afterwards.
In the meantime, I leave you with a new poem and with this: Which is better, having peace or pacing the floor? When we pray with faith, we are trusting God. So, practice trusting in the Lord and His promises, with all your heart, “and lean not on your own understanding, and the peace of God will direct your paths.”
Promise of a New Day
Like the promise of a new day,
My heart hopes in the glorious color of evening’s sunset sway.
And clinging to God’s promise and His forgiving grace,
Paints hope eternal of a new days’ comforting and gentle pace.
Iris Carignan, 2/13/2025
At some point, most everyone has made a new Year’s resolution to get healthier and exercise more. But have you ever made a new year’s resolution to exercise your spiritual muscles?
Shortly after deciding to do a short series on Paying Attention, it occurred to me that learning and practicing the three P’s of Paying Attention would, no doubt, mean that most of us would have to commit to doing that as diligently as an athlete does. They’d need to commit to a regular habit of exercise in order to perform better.
So, like most all of my New Year’s resolutions, this blog topic nearly went by the wayside too as the horrific fires struck our neighboring communities. My pre-planned topic for January suddenly felt out of place and insensitive. Yet as I considered the core principles behind the theme of Paying Attention: by Being Present for others, Praising God in All things, and Finding God’s Purpose in our trials, I was convinced that this was exactly what all of us need to delve into at this time. That it could equip all of us better for coping with our own trials as well as ministering to those who are experiencing great suffering during this firestorm.
Several years back, my husband and I came very close to losing our house during the Woolsey fire. After evacuating to a safe home, watching the news, and seeing what appeared to be our house going up in flames, our hearts sank. It was one of the longest 24 hours of waiting and the most horrifying and sorrowful feeling I’ve ever experienced. Thankfully, our house did not burn as we thought it had. But, sadly, someone else’s did and by then I had a rough, yet brief taste of how it might feel. So, as my heart ached for that family then, so also does my heart go out to all of you who have suffered loss because of the recent fires.
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another… Thessalonians 5:11(NKJV)
And as we consider being present for others, if we are paying attention while at the grocery store, coffee shop, or even in our own neighborhoods, God might place someone in our path who needs ministering to. If you’re paying attention while shopping, you might notice a young mother who seems frazzled with extra stress and just needs a smile, or they may need to go ahead of you in line. Many individuals with special health issues may be struggling even more as they cope with long power outages. You might have a neighbor that needs you to pick up some ice or bring them a meal. So, pay attention, be present for others, and let God reveal those whom you can help by showing compassion to them. No matter where you are.
If you are personally experiencing a difficult trial at this time, whether it’s related to the fires or not, remember that God is our refuge and strength an ever-present help in time of trouble. (Psalm 46:1) And while I certainly don’t suggest you thank and praise God for the troubles that others are experiencing, God’s word tells us in Philippians 4:4, that when we go through adversities we should “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again,: Rejoice… do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
God has demonstrated this principal to me of paying attention with Praise and/or thanksgiving for several years now. And I can tell you story after story of how doing that always brings joy to me in whatever the trial may be. Many times the joy that comes through rejoicing in my trials comes when He reveals His purpose in it, but each time He’s done that, it only happened AFTER I thanked and praised Him for the hard thing and Before I saw His purpose in it.
If you read my last blog or watched my last video on my YouTube Channel, “A Taste of Honey, with Iris Carignan”, you would’ve seen how that played out miraculously for me very recently. You’ll also see that at the moment when I thanked God for my trial, I wasn’t feeling great and in fact was in a lot of pain and had a serious concern about the terrible accident that had happened. Yet God gave me peace and a sense of purpose in the accident. So, as you learn to Rejoice, or praise & thank God in your trials, you will also likely experience the joy of seeing His purpose in it be revealed.
If you’ve ever made a resolution to get more physical exercise, then you might quickly realize that exercising your faith muscles, especially while in-the-midst of a terrible trial, is probably even more difficult than staying with a physical exercise program. But the spiritual rewards will be well worth the stretch (pun intended for effect).
So, as we all consider what we can do to minister to others during this fiery trial, we can begin by thanking God for whatever trial or suffering we are experiencing, then pay attention to what someone else in our presence might need. Pay attention to what we can do to help them.
Then, watch and see how God used our praises to reveal someone else’s need and bring joy to them. Notice how their joy will spill over into our own souls like overflowing water from the well that Jesus gives. And then, keep on exercising your spiritual muscles and you’ll gain new strength in your faith.
In case you want to but haven’t yet watched my recent YouTube video, “Handling Hidden Surprises” here’s the link: https://youtu.be/lxOiDD2gMEU?si=I3XmZR8Sjm4AVzbU
Why does it seem that everything bad happens to us all at once? That was a comment a friend recently made regarding some things she’d been through. I know it’s something we can all identify with. It may be one particular day, or a week that has been especially difficult. Or it may be a series of adversities over a period of a year or more. Ironically, on the day that my friend made that observation, little did she know that I was having a tough day too. And little did I know that it was only going to get worse for me as the day went on.
Aside from one bothersome matter, I couldn’t put my finger on why I was feeling so out of sorts. It was as if the devil himself had been dogging me all day. Little annoyances became major issues for me. Like the oven timer that wasn’t working for the umpteenth time as I prepared dinner. Confessing my day-long grumpy mood to my husband, I told him, “I don’t know why I’m in such a terrible mood, but everything seems to be getting under my skin today.”
After dinner I was feeling much better. Maybe I was just “hangry” from the current doctor-prescribed-diet I’m on. I thought. Then, and just when things seemed to be getting better, it happened. The topper for a bad day—a terrible accident.
I tripped over a raised spot in the sidewalk while disposing of garbage in our trash bins outside. Flying forward, I face-planted and hit my head hard on the pavement. With screams for help and blood gushing profusely, I managed to make it back into the house to tell my husband about my accident. Now, lest you think I’m writing about my accident with hopes of eliciting sympathy, I’m not. Well maybe just a little, but let me explain what God revealed in the-midst-of-it all.
Praise, purpose, and thanksgiving in all things! That’s it. It’s a lesson God continues to drill into my spirit and this day wasn’t any different.
As I sat in the ER exam room waiting for cat scan results and hoping they’d at least reveal a brain in there, I remembered God’s word in Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”
So, while waiting for the results of my scan, I said a silent prayer of praise and thanksgiving for my terrible fall. I was in a lot of pain and my eye was quickly swelling closed as my skin bloomed into black and blue. Yet I paid attention to the praise and thanksgiving that God’s word instructed. I thanked my Lord without reservation or thought about how He might work it into something good.
When the doctor came back with the scan results, she relieved me of any worries about serious effects like a brain bleed or fractures, then, saving a surprising discovery for last, she dropped the bomb—a growth in my throat.
Whoa! What?
Until that moment I wasn’t aware of the tumor. So, I immediately knew how fortunate the accident was. If I hadn’t had a serious accident that needed cat scans in the vicinity of where the growth was, there was no telling how long it would’ve been before I knew about the mass in my throat. A day later Romans 8:28 came to mind with resounding eye-opening clarity. “For we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes.”
This new revelation of a hidden mass also had me considering the scripture theme of the Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café. Except now it was very personal. If you’ve read my new novel, you’d be aware that Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future,” is a scriptural thread that runs through the story. As Elise finds faith and comes to grips with her adversities, she begins to see God’s goodness that was there all along. Likewise, as I considered the irony of finding a hidden tumor because of a terrible accident, I was comforted knowing God’s purposeful intentions for me too.
Now comes the second part of the Philippians scripture that I must remember.: “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. No doubt I’ll need it when the time comes for my surgery and biopsy. So as that day approaches, I will continue to pay attention to praising God, as well as letting His peace fill me with assurance of His good plans for me.
Despite the joy of the Christmas season, the holidays are often filled with troubles, adversities, and sorrows. It’s my prayer for you to find peace in the midst of any troubling times you go through during this Christmas season. To find surprising comfort, joy, purpose, and peace in your adversities, no matter how traumatic they may be, by thanking and praising God during them.
Stay tuned for my next blog post that will focus on some more personal stories that helped me learn the importance of paying attention to Praise and Purpose. You can also see my latest YouTube video on my channel: A Taste of Honey with Iris Carignan to watch and see the video entitle “Handling Hidden Surprises” and to see evidence of what I talk about in this blog. While you’re there I hope you’ll become a follower so you will receive notices of new video postings.
Here’s the link for watching my Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxOiDD2gMEU
In the meantime, have a joyous Christmas filled with good surprises and hidden treasures that will last beyond the day.
Can hardly bee-lieve it’s been a year since my first contemporary fiction was released. And I’m SO GRATEFUL to God who gave me this story & for everyone’s support. It’s still getting rave reviews and many of you continue to buy several more copies as gifts for friends & family too! Folks are anxiously asking me when the sequel to The Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Cafe will be out. S-o-o-o-o, the other Big News is the sequel is in the works and well on its way to being published.
In the meantime, I pray all of you will have a wonderful Thanksgiving with much to be grateful for in your lives.
There’s an old joke that says, “My family was so poor we couldn’t afford to pay attention.” As funny, or not so funny, as you may find that, the truth about paying attention is that it does have a cost to it. Paying attention to important things costs time, focus, fun, self-centeredness, physical effort, comfort, and may involve risk. However, in my experience, the price you might pay for caring about people is nothing compared to the rewards you may receive.
In the process of being alert to what God may be doing in the moment, or just by noticing someone who’s right in front of me, I’ve discovered three important ways to make these encounters become blessings. I call them the three P’s: Being Present, looking for God’s Purpose in and through them, and giving God our Praise & prayers in all things, no matter how hard.
Being Present means truly being attentive to whom you are with and what is going on in the moment. It’s probably one of the least practiced habits in today’s culture. Like me, you may have noticed people who are blatantly ignoring their own family or friends while out for dinner together. Instead of interacting with each other, they are looking down at their cell phones or on a tablet.
In the past several months, I’ve experienced amazing blessings through the simple act of paying attention. Attention to people around me, including people who are serving me—a repair man, food server, housekeeper, or the grocery store clerk, and more. And though it may have meant losing a few minutes of my time, putting away my own cell phone, or going out of my way to notice someone; every single time I did, I was blessed and I’m pretty sure they were too.
Wendy Lieber says it well. “When you pay attention, you’re more present in the moment, you notice things that you might have missed, and you can form deeper connections with the people and experiences around us.” Some of the best blessing’s I’ve experienced have happened by taking time to get to know someone better. Even the act of asking a waiter or waitress what their name is, and followed-up with simple question, can lead to a deeper conversation that makes them feel appreciated and truly seen.
One of my most astounding encounters with a waitress happened a few years ago while traveling through a small unfamiliar town. It began as we finished our meal, and a young gal came out to bus tables. God got my attention first by whispering a nudge for me to “compliment her.” I knew nothing about that young woman so, I decided to study her from a distance. That led me to notice that she looked very similar to a woman in a famous painting, “Girl With the Pearl Earring,” by Vermeer. So, as she got close to our table, I asked her if anyone had ever told her she looked like that model in the painting. Pausing with a glimmer of joy catching her eyes, she responded by saying, “No, but I like to paint.” I was blown away to learn she was also artistic like me. But where it led seconds later, truly amazed me.
She began to tell me her life’s story of abuse and heartache, including the fact that “if her grandmother, hadn’t sent her an airplane ticket and given her a job at the café,” she didn’t know what she would’ve done. Topping it off with her most recent tragic story of losing the baby she and her fiancée were expecting, was the final exclamation point that touched me deeply. “I don’t even know you,” I said with tears puddling in my eyes. “But you’re gonna make me cry.”
I offered to pray with her, and she agreed. My husband was paying our bill at the counter, so, I stood-up, took her hands in mine, and prayed out loud. By that time the restaurant was mostly empty, but God’s presence was surely there. Her response afterwards revealed her heart had been lifted with encouragement.
I am so glad I paid attention to what God said to do that night, and will never forget the joy and blessing I experienced as God’s love flowed between that young woman and I. It was a rare and unexpected opportunity to speak God’s love into a wanting soul. And it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t paid attention to God’s voice, and then practiced being present to someone in front of me. His word tells us in Mathew 22:37-38 that the greatest command we can follow is to love God with all our hearts …and to love others as ourselves.” When we pay attention to God’s leading by being present and demonstrating His love to others, we all come to understand His great commandment in a real way.
As we enter the holidays, we’ll likely encounter many people who desperately need to know God’s love and hope. You can encourage others to also pay attention by giving them the gift of my book Fresh Eyes: Seeing God in the Unexpected which is filled with true stories about God revealing Himself through surprising events, trials, and people. Or The Buzz @ Chicky-Pie’s Café, my fiction novel that tells the story of Elise, a young woman who is led to a hopeful, redemptive life through caring people that pay attention to her with loving care. The stories in both books demonstrate that miracles, hope, and blessings, happen when we paying attention God and others. Both books can be ordered through my website on the books page or on amazon.
You might also want to check-out my latest holiday pecan pie demo on my YouTube channel. The demo also includes a redemptive ingredient for holiday stress. Go to: @IrisCarignan-ATasteOfHoney See the recipe for the pecan pie at the bottom of this blog post for your reference too.
The next couple of blog posts will focus on the other two P’s of paying attention-Purpose and Praise. In the meantime, it’s my prayer that God will continue to offer you and I opportunities to be present for someone and allow us to be blessed when we pay attention to the most important matters.
Iris’s Georgia Pecan Pie
Pastry for one-crust Pie, 2 ½ Tablespoons Flour, 2/3 cup sugar, Pinch of salt, 4 eggs lightly beaten, ¼ cup softened butter, 1 ¼ cups corn syrup, one cup pecan halves
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Line 9 inch pie plate with pastry, Combine flour, sugar & pinch of salt, Combine eggs and butter in a separate bowl. Stir in flour, sugar, & salt mixture & Beat together lightly. Stir in corn syrup then add ¾ cup of the pecans and pour mixture into pastry-lined pie plate. Then add the remaining ¼ pecans to the pie placing them by hand evenly throughout the pie as needed to fill gaps.
Bake in pre-heated oven for 10 minutes at 375, then lower the temperature to 350 F and bake another 50 minutes longer. Check on the pie after 35 or 4 0 minutes to see if you need to place a piece of foil over the edges of the crust to prevent burning. (The filling should rise and thicken as it finishes and not be too liquid or runny when done.) * Let pie cool completely before adding any toppings like whipped cream.
