Finding God in my Mashed Potatoes

Tonight I experienced God in an unexpected place, my mashed potatoes. Sitting in Nana's Restaurant, a local diner, enjoying pot roast, green beans and mashed potatoes I experienced the healing presence of a loving God. As I partook of the delicious goodness of Nana's mashed potatoes, I was reminded of the promise from Isaiah 42:16

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
    and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
    I will not forsake them."

I don't know about you but I have a lot of rough places in my life, places I hide from others and avoid facing. I have experienced many unfamiliar paths. One year ago today my husband and I pulled into Nashville with a moving truck and an unfamiliar path ahead. We accepted a call to minister in Nashville leaving behind the beautiful paradise community we called "home" in Florida. Knowing the Lord was leading us to Nashville and following His call was the easy part. Trusting Him through the rough places and waiting is always the challenge.

Making mashed potatoes is a process, and I don't mean the fake instant box of mashed potatoes. First the potatoes have to be washed, peeled, sliced, and boiled. Then comes mashing, the process of removing all the lumps. As a result of the mashing, creamy potato goodness is a delight to the palate.

Sometimes I feel like I'm being mashed through a Kitchenade mixer. Life disappoints, people fail, cars die, health ebbs and beauty fades. But God's promise remains true. God promises to lead, guide, and smooth rough places but most of all He promises to never forsake us. This is a promise I cling to during the unfamiliar paths God is leading me through and I will never look at mashed potatoes the same way again. Living fully present in the moment.