Turning a little into a lot.

When Chloe was a baby she was not a good sleeper.  Being my first baby the shock to my system was a big one!   We had friends that had a beautiful family of four young daughters, Dean and Jenene.   Jenene kept a beautiful home and was a fabulous cook.  She made yeast cakes that were legendary.  The girls were gorgeous and so well behaved.  Her family were involved in the church and Jenene always looked lovely.   The biggest thing though was she was always glowing with happiness and smiling.    ( This family went on into Ministry and many years later Dean married Chloe and Luke!)  

One day when I was desperately tired Jenene told me something that has stayed with me until this day.  She said when she was up with babies in the night she used to pray that God would turn her few hours sleep into plenty and make these hours a quality sleep that would count as a lot.   This really hit me. I had never thought in this way at all.  My brain had to grasp this!   It was a loaves and fishes approach to sleep. God could turn a little into a lot. 

What Jenene told me changed everything.  I also became much less stressed and less focused on the actual number of hours sleep I had.  It taught me that God is in the numbers and there is more to it than maths.

This led me to think on lots of circumstances where one and one does not automatically equal two.

One is when you tithe you have more.   There have been times in the past that I have given and technically and mathematically it was a mistake.  However not once did I end up lacking. 

Everyone has 24 hours in their day.  Some people will have a lot of free time and achieve nothing.  Others that have full time jobs and six kids somehow miraculously write a book,  run a sideline business and garden.  

Some people on very high wages are always broke.  Someone else on low wages has a wonderful pantry full of food, an emergency fund and savings. 

I am making vast generalisations and there are exceptions but you will know what I mean as you will know people who squander their time, talents and opportunities and others that work to improve themselves and do things to the best of their ability.   We will all know people who are like sieves in that no matter how much they are given it falls through their hands like sand.  No matter how much they have they are not happy.    On the flip side we will know people who have very little but always are a joy and good to be around,  they are happy and generous. 

We have a friend who often gives us a hand to do things here on the farm.   He helped us build the big chicken run.  I was holding panels or wire fencing in place while he stapled them down.  We couldn't stop laughing,  I don't even remember what that was about.  But I note we have that much fun working and some people can have tickets to the best concert in town or go to the best restaurant and still not really seem to enjoy themselves. 

There is the woman who has a messy house but thinks if she had the house of her dreams she would keep it clean.  Unless we are faithful with a little why would we be faithful with a lot?

Some things are perspective.  I saw someone on social media complain about their "small crappy" laundry.   Someone else replied it is their DREAM to have a laundry that isn't part of their kitchen.  Maybe there is a way to turn a little laundry into a lot!  I think so, with some shelves and hanging space it can be done! 

My Grandparents went through the World Wars and Great Depression.  I can't imagine how many times that Nana turned a little into a lot in her kitchen.   She knew how to make the best soups.  Nothing was wasted. They grew a few things and had a community of relatives and friends who helped each other out.  She could have written a book on the subject of turning a little into a lot! 

Why am I telling you this now?  Because many of us are facing such unsure times that things on paper might not look good.  The budget might not balance.  I am encouraging you to build up your home and pantry like never before.   (I am going to have a second part to this to try to help more in this area.)  We used to watch football and had a commentator who was great with words.  They were assessing the team for the new year and someone exclaimed how this team looked so fantastic on paper.  Denise replied that it true but they will be playing on grass,  not paper.   What looks good on paper does not take into account a million factors such as dynamics,  communication,  relationships, spirit and more... 

God can truly turn a little into a lot.  When people are willing to do all they can with what they have God can step in and work a miracle.   I have been completely amazed over and over how praying before shopping changes everything.    For things you are truly needing praying about it and waiting really does work wonders.  If you are not sure about this then you have nothing to lose by giving it a go.  In advance I am expecting to hear some amazing stories from you.  

Do not be discouraged.  God can turn a little into a lot.   Do not let people put numbers on you either.  An example is Dad was told if he was very well behaved and lucky he might have five years to live.  This was back when he had a massive heart attack at 60.   He wasn't very well behaved (medically)  and he lived another twenty three years in a very full way.   I have seen others who live a very healthy and fit lifestyle only to drop dead and end up being the healthiest person in the cemetery.   No one knows.  Don't let anyone hem you into a corner with numbers.   Corrie Ten Boom gave her testimony that she went into a concentration camp and managed to hang on to her Bible and her bottle of vitamin drops.  She worked out she had enough drops for a month.  Less if she shared them with her sister and even less if she shared them with her fellow prisoners.   She went ahead and shared them.  She still used those drops until she left that camp. The drops never ran out no matter how many people she gave them to.  (A movie was made about her life.)   

Do you have some tricks to share on turning a little into a lot?   I will share one of mine here....  Miracle Muffins.     These are an inexpensive and delicious way to fill hungry tummies for breakfast, lunch or snacks.  Just about anything can go into these!  If you have a few berries you can make them seem more with some of my tricks. 

A good baking day always amazes me.   I am hoping to have one tomorrow but it is almost magical how basic pantry ingredients can give you so much.

It is so cold here tonight!  The fire is raging and keeping us warm.  I went out in the wind and planted out more of the Aloe Vera from my Uncle.  Then I had little ones which I have potted up to grow and take to the trading table. Hopefully too they will multiply and I can then pot up new ones,  turning a little into a lot! xxx