Enjoy this new devotion about the heart of this recipe site from Christian author and baker, Janice Thompson.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." (Mark 15:16 NASB)
Welcome, friends! I'm pausing from my usual baking and blogging to bring you a quick devotion.
For those of you who don't know me well yet, I'm Janice Thompson. You can learn more about my baking journey here.
Before I started this recipe site, I was a full time author, writing books for the Christian market. I've been at it since the late 90s and have published over 170 books for the Christian market, everything from devotionals to faith-based romantic comedies to cozy mysteries. I've even written several historicals, including a book about the sinking of the Titanic!
All that to say, I've been a writer for a long time.
But, about a year ago I decided to give up book-writing and focus on this blog. The decision was an easy one. I've been on non-stop deadlines for almost 26 years now and I'm exhausted. I'm also not getting any younger, (ahem).
My New Journey as a Blogger
You can imagine that switching completely from books to blogging was an interesting shift. I was on a huge learning curve. While I enjoy technology, (and I love marketing), blogging is a completely different beast.
And let's be honest: Not everyone loves my recipes. The cake purists out there are often put off by those of us who enjoy using boxed mixes. (That's fine. I can handle it!)
Some days I mourn when my numbers are low. Other days I'm astounded when multiplied thousands of people come from all over the globe to look at my recipes. And I"m always surprised by which recipes take off.
Currently, here are my top five, just in case you're wondering:
If someone had told me that I would have people from all over the globe following me to learn how to convert a box of cake mix into something else (like a pound cake. . .or cookies) I would've said. . ."W-what?"
But here they are.
And here I am.
And it's funny, because on those days when I'm missing my former authorish life, I open up my Google Analytics account and look at the Blue Dots.
What are Blue Dots, You Ask?
At any given moment I can pull up a screen shot that shows me exactly who's browsing this site, which recipes they're looking at, and what part of the country (or even the world) they're visiting from.
As you can see from this current photo, the blue dots are all in the U.S. That's not at all unusual on a Friday morning. (I live in Texas, by the way, and it's fun to watch the dots go by as the hours pass.)
Come sundown, most those dots will begin to shift to the left. And it's so funny to peek in on them in the wee hours of the night. While we're snoozing here in the U.S. the blue dots are all over the place!
There are often quite a few folks visiting from Africa, including one that randomly blue dot that appears periodically off the SW coast of Africa, out in the water! I like to imagine there's a ship out there and the chef is searching for a recipe to make for the crew.
My imagination is still in fine working order.
Those blue dots motivate me. I know there's a real person behind every dot and I try to keep that in mind. It helps me determine what recipes might be of interest to those who follow me.
And now there's another reason the blue dots have my attention.
God's Heart for the Nations
A few weeks ago I started a Bible study at my church. It's led by a friend who is also active in missions. (Check out Let's Go Ministries to learn more.)
The Bible study is called God's Heart for the Nations. Lesson one was fascinating. We were given a map of Asia/Middle East/Europe/Africa and asked to pray for specific countries (8 in total, as I recall).
I didn't know where half of those countries were, so I took the time to pencil (er, pen) them into my map, to remind myself to pray for them.
Right after finishing that first lesson I decided to get on Google Analytics to check my blue dots. It was on a Sunday morning, right before church. So, imagine my surprise when I pulled up that screen and, instead of landing on the U.S., it showcased the very continents I'd just marked in my book.
Apparently, that Sunday morning, several people were checking out my recipes from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and so on.
And That's When it Hit Me
"God's heart for the nations." I've always cared about missions. I work with an inner city ministry to spread the gospel and share the love of Christ with people of all ages. I just went on a missions trip to South-Central Mexico in November with a team from my church. We helped meet some practical needs while there.
I would love to do even more.
But, when I paused to think about it, I realized that this very blog could (and should) be a place where I share hope. Love. Encouragement. Joy. A place where the gospel message could shine through. Yes, shine all the way through a recipe, and into the heart of the one reading it.
Back to the Word!
When I arrived home from church that afternoon I got busy. I pulled up my top 40 (most frequently visited) recipes/posts. Then, at the bottom of each one, I plugged in a scripture.
Not a sermon.
Not a devotion.
Not an in-your-face. . .anything.
Just a simple verse.
Because somewhere on the other side of the globe (or perhaps right down the street from my house) someone is hurting.
Or lost.
Or worried.
Or hopeless.
So, maybe they've signed onto a random website to scroll some recipes to pass the time, (or to drown their woes in chocolate cake).
I have to believe that's not by mistake. Because, if they read all the way to the bottom, they're going to get a message that just might bring the encouragement they need.
I'm looking at the blue dots differently now.
Whoever you are, wherever you're signing in from, just know that I think of you. I see you. I pray for you.
And I'm here, ready to share the love, the joy, and the peace of the One who loves you far more than you could even imagine. He's right here, too, ready to sweep in and rescue. To save. To embrace you and give you hope, no matter how deep the well might seem.
Keep stopping by. I promise not to preach. And the recipes will be up front on this site, as always. But just know that somewhere in the background, an old lady is thinking of you.
And praying.
(And she could use a little prayer, too!)
Blessings on you all,
Janice
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship ofthe Holy Spirit, be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14 NASB