Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009, a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and the author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life and the new release of Cooking for Simple Elegance. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She connects missions to her work with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, MT. She served as the American Christian Fiction Writer's past Publicity Officer. Angela Breidenbach on the web: http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com, http://www.GodUsesBrokenVessels.com, http://TheFaithGirls.com on Wednesdays each week. Visit her new Christian Speakers Service http://www.christianspeakersservices.com/angela-breidenbach-christian-speaker-author.html

Is there someone you can’t forgive? Someone who hurt you deeply? All that pain burns up our joy, leaving piles of ash in a fireplace that’s never been cleaned out. Soon the ashes are so deep we can’t start a fire for all the build up. The flames of a passionate, purpose-filled spirit are smothered with unforgiveness and anger. We lose track of our calling because we’re busy chasing the smoke of emotion. As writers, we have the awesome opportunity to journal it out or add it to our stories. But sometimes the best way is action. The action of physically envisioning the process. The action of groaning and allowing the Holy Spirit to pray when we don’t know what to pray.

How?

This is a private activity. Sit, kneel, or lie on the floor.

Concentrate on the depth of pain you are feeling. See all the dead ashes and junk from being the one left to fight all the fires. The one left to do all the work, pay all the bills, or care when no one else would.

Allow the tears to come. Allow yourself to groan out loud. In those groans (don’t stop, keep groaning) see the Holy Spirit swirling through your body, stirring up the fallen ashes of hope and pain. He’s scooping up dead embers, cold powdered wishes at the bottom of a rusty iron stove. See the Spirit swirl all those groaning prayers like smoke around a winter cabin. Now the flue is open, and the smoke is racing to the throne room, carrying useless ash.

Now picture the stunning glory of the throne room.

Suddenly, what was once dead is now flaring to life. The embers, warmed by contact with the Holy Spirit, burst into dancing flames in the majestic throne room.

See the Holy Spirit lean and meld into the one true God. His eyes turn and focus on you. They pierce your soul. He nods in understanding. He knows how you feel, what you are asking, and what to do about it.

Are you willing to let go of your pain and let God take it from here?

Hold your hands up to Him. Open your palms and blow your worries, fears, and pain away. Toss God the blackened pieces of wooden unforgiveness.

Watch Him catch it all. Watch a slow smile spread across His features. Hear Him say, “I can take it from here. It is in my power. It is in my plan. I love you.”

Did you know?

God is smiling on you!

Excerpt from Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life. Available online, or from any bookstore, and is a great small group resource too. Angie is available to lead women’s retreats, speak at events, or even Skype to your book club. Visit http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com

Shrimp Avocado Summer Salad †I +GF *W

A light and lovely beginning to summer with 30 minutes to an elegant table.

Serves 4

48 Precooked, shelled shrimp
4 eggs, hardboiled and peeled
Feta cheese, I prefer fat-free
Olives for garnish, Greek style or Kalamata
2 avocadoes, cut in half, scooped, sliced into bite-sized pieces
4 tomatoes, sliced lengthwise
Light salad dressing; try light ranch or a balsamic spray-on dressing
Garnish with store bought low fat bacon bits.
Optional: Add in sugar snap peas, cold cooked beets, and baby spinach.

Boil eggs 10 minutes. Turn off burner. Let sit in boiling water 10 minutes and then rinse in cold water. Thaw shrimp in a colander under cold running water. While shrimp is thawing, peel the hardboiled eggs. Chop eggs, set aside. (It’s a prettier dish if the eggs are in larger pieces.) Layer 4 plates with equal portions of avocadoes, tomatoes, chopped eggs, and olives. Now spread 12 shrimp per plate across salad. Sprinkle on feta cheese and then bacon bits. Serve with ranch or balsamic dressing.

†I +GF *W (IBD, Gluten-free, Weight Loss)