For my February book feature and drawing, I’m excited to feature Deb DeArmond’s new book, Bumper Sticker Be-Attitudes. 
Bumper Sticker Be-Attitudes is a devotional built on the belief there are spiritual principles everywhere we look—if we open our eyes to the truth. Here’s a sample of the delightful way Deb takes a common saying and inspires us to seek God in every area of life. Read below for how to enter the drawing to win Deb’s book. UPDATE; Nan Carter is the winner of the drawing for Deb’s book. Congratulations, Nan!
A Watched Pot Never Boils
by Deb DeArmond
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! (Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG)
“A watched pot never boils, babe,” I advised my newlywed husband. He continued to stare at the pot filled with still stiff pasta.
Silence. Then, “What kind of pot is it?” he asked.
“A watched pot. You know–it will never boil.”
His turned quickly toward me. “Then why cook the pasta in it?”
We’d received many kitchen items as wedding gifts, which included a variety of pots and pans: Crockpots, Dutch ovens, frying pans and more. He misunderstood my definition of a “watched” pot. It was not a brand of cookware. I literally meant a pot that’s being watched or observed. Apparently, my mother had a few colloquialisms his didn’t.
The concept is simple: the more closely we watch to ensure something happens, the more the outcome may be delayed
Life is like that at times. The single surfing the web for the perfect mate. The monthly disappointment when trying to conceive. The closer we watch, the longer it takes. James 5:7 reminds us we don’t control the timing of every aspect of our lives. “Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen” (NLT). The farmer doesn’t plant his seed, watch it minute by minute, then dig up the ground to make sure it’s still there. He trusts the process.
Why is this hard to do? Simple. We prefer to control our circumstances. For Christians, that’s a problem. God asks us to trust Him with our lives. That’s his process.
My mother was injured in a devastating accident. Doctors decided there was nothing they could do but wait and see. The news was difficult, but it was easy for us to pray and trust a faithful God. Why was it easy this time? Because there was not a bit we could do. No other efforts were possible.
But when dealing with financial difficulties or concerns about a child’s behavior, it’s easy to take matters into our own hands, we use whatever methods are available to us. Take a second job to deal with the money problems. Read a book by a popular author on childrearing. Neither method is wrong, unless they replace turning to God in prayer and trust him for answers.
God doesn’t expect us to sit by and wait without action in difficult times. He expects us to pray and seek His will. He may lead us to pursue an idea that occurred to us. But he wants to direct the traffic in our lives, trusting the process, trusting him.
Faith is not built when all is well; it’s built when times are tough.
The more we monitor and work to manage our circumstances, the more frustrated we become. If you want to watch something, forget the pot. Watch God fulfill His word to His children!
Today’s Tips & Challenge: What pot are you watching? Where’s God asking you to let go and let Him take control? What’s your first step?
Thank you, Deb, for inspiring us! To enter the drawing: make a comment on my blog post by Saturday, February 8th, 2020. Only USA addresses can win. UPDATE: Nan Carter is the winner of the drawing.
Deb DeArmond is an expert in the fields of communication, relationship and conflict resolution. A writer and popular professional speaker, Deb focuses on topics related to the family and women. Kregel Publications released her first book in November 2013 entitled, Related by Chance, Family by Choice. Abingdon Press published I Choose You Today: 31 Choices to Make Love Last in June 2015 and Don’t Go to Bed Angry: Stay Up and Fight in June 2016. Her newest book, released in November 2019, is a humorous devotional entitled Bumper Sticker Be-Attitudes, now available at Amazon. Link:https://amzn.to/31AzzF6
Website: www.debdearmond.com
https://www.pinterest.com/deb_dearmond/
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDebDeArmond
Good reminder, we rely so much on self help books, or articles we find on the internet to possible help us it whatever situation we may be in. Times we feel this it too little or not of importance for God to help with. But, he should be a resource, we should be reaching out to him in all things.
Thanks so much, Christina, for entering your time entering the drawing and commenting. I’m so glad I can share with others about Deb’s powerful book.
Thank you so much for the admonishment I always thought the older I was the easier it would be to let God totally take control and wait on Him. I am still learning in my 70s. Waiting on God and His direction is best. It produces the best spiritual fruit.
Hi Sharon, I’m so glad you are encouraged about that. I relate. I always thought some day I would arrive. I actually think I finally believe that shouldn’t happen because then I wouldn’t need God, nor need to seek Him. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I’ve put you into the drawing.
Christina, thanks for the shout out. I do think some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about who God is and how we works were in the little things. He’s always speaking – the trick is to listen!
Kathy, thanks for sharing this practical devotional. And, Deb I love how you relay a spiritual truth in everyday and understandable terms.
Thanks for participating, Jeanne. Yes, Deb is an expert at relaying spiritual truth in everyday terms. I’ve put you into the drawing.
Jeanne – thanks – so glad you found it enjoyable. I keep getting hints that God is the master at conveying the truth of His word in the things we night ever consider. He makes it so practical and realistic for us!
OK – LOVE THIS!!!! Another great post!!! Definitely convicting!!!!
Great to hear from you, Nicci. I appreciate your faithful participation. I’ve put you into the drawing.
Nicci – glad you enjoyed it. Good luck on the book drawing!
How exciting to see Deb’s fantastic new book featured here! I’ve enjoyed this fun yet serious devotional. I love the way Deb takes us on a trip through some modern issues and makes us laugh out loud and think at the same time. It’s one of those books I’ll return to again and again. Blessings to you, Kathy, for spreading the word about my current favorite book.
Thanks for stopping by, Linda. What fun for us to connect as we celebrate Deb’s newest release. I’m glad to support it. I’m putting you into the drawing even though it seems you are very familiar with it. You can always pass it along!
Linda! We know all the same fine folks! We are overdue for a call to catch up. And thanks for your encouraging words!
Reading this gave me an “oh wow” moment. I realized I have only been doing one or the other. Can’t wait to retrace my steps and add prayer to my action and action to my prayer. Blessings
Hi Nan, Thanks so much for stopping by and I’m glad you were blessed with God’s “oh wow” moment. I love how His Spirit does that. And I know He’ll continue to use Deb’s book to do that for many. I’ve put you into the drawing. Blessings to you.
Congratulations, Nan. You are the winner of Deb’s book. I’ll connect you two by email. Thanks again for participating in the drawing.
Thank you Kathy for sharing this.
It’s good to know that God can lead us to pursue an idea that occurred to us. But he wants to direct the traffic in our lifes
Thank you Kathy for sharing.
It’s good to know that God can lead us to pursue an idea that occurred to us. But he wants to direct the traffic in lives
Sorry I spelt lives wrongly in the initial comment
Meghan, I always appreciate you stopping by and no worries on misspelled words otherwise I would be in big trouble. I’ve put your name into the drawing. Thanks for your affirmation of truth of how God directs our lives.
I loved the excerpt I read from this book. I can’t wait to read the entire book! I love books with practical applications.
Thanks for commenting and entering the drawing, Deanna. Yes, I also love books with practical applications, and Deb’s is great for that.