“Crescents and Lessons”

There is a stillness in this season of jingle bells, laughter, and joyful running feet.

You may have to search a little harder amidst the hustle and bustle, but if you slow your heart, mind, and soul—God is whispering. Those whispers lead to lessons sometimes in the most mundane places. Today was no different.

My family, like so many families in this season have to actively set our sights on the Hope of the Lord and the promises in His word. With loss and hardship raging like a roaring tornado, its no wonder some families hearts break in this season where others are leaping for joy.

Today, I held space for myself and my family after Church and decided to try making homemade Crescents. Despite unsuccessful attempts in my past kitchen ventures—I opted to try again. The cheesecake I made a few days ago was to die for, and there is a certain comfort I find in the kitchen. Its where I meet God in the business of life, Praising Him for these hands to cook, for food to fill my families bellies, and a mind that has been taught to make new foods.

I figured we needed a loaf of bread anyway, so what better time than to take the dough (which I never make enough for just one loaf) and turn it into several concoctions. —I would like to PAUSE (SELAH) and take a moment to say— if you are unfamiliar with the kitchen, here is your urge to START. Stop giving yourself excuses and start experimenting with hosw tastes combine, the texture of your food, and the blessing to make it yourself.

Anyways— As I made the dough, I prayed over it almost in a beg of “Oh please let this turn out.” Half of me wanted a peace offering to my husband for sharing a cheesecake he was quite fond of and making a cheesy Danish crescent. XD If you ever receive food from me— just know you are SO LOVED because where I have a heart to share, my husband loves his food.

Fast foreward to crescent making. Splitting the dough into sections, flouring the surface, and using a rolling pin to flatten. If you have never seen how crescents are made—let me be the one to enlighten you.

— The dough is flattened, butter added, then the dough is folded over, and rolled several times again to flatten it again before being folded again. Thise is repeated several times to get the signature flakey texture of a crescent as all the butter melts into the dough itself.

Sounds easy enough right? The problem is when the dough is not a perfect temperature, or the butter is too warm— the dough snags, or the butter just melts away and you get a loaf of funky bread instead of a classic flakey texture.

Another common issue is as you roll the dough, the dough gets too thin and then rips, tares, and snags. This is commonly my biggest issue leading to the butter just falling out and the dough a ripped, burnt, and crusty mess.

Today—God had a lesson in crescents for me, and I would like to share it with you. As I rolled out the dough, I split it in half and put half off too the side. I placed the squares of butter in nice little lines and folded everything together. I began to roll— SLOW, STEADY.

Periodically I would stop and check the dough. For thin spots, for places under too much tension—where the dough was raw and ragged—I would pause (SELAH) and fold back together, adding more flour so the rolling pin wouldn’t stick and yank it apart. I repeated this several times, and when the dough was having more issues I added the second dough ball. I stretched them together, folded them, and then rolled them out.

The results? Beautiful, delicious crescents!

Take a breath— because Gods message is jsut as beautiful as these yummy sourdough crescents. (SELAH) I don’t know who needs to hear this or read this, but— Your pause OR SELAH is not Gods open denial or refusal. The pause is a necessity because sometimes God is stretching us— (like the dough) but the inclusions he is rolling with us may not be molding properly yet— so He needs to slow down, smoothing and rubbing the ragged parts. Giving certains parts of us moments to rise and fill in the ripped pieces.

Sometimes God hand needs to be still, so that WE can BE STILL too.

Sometimes we need a dusting of His grace and His mercy (flour) a pause in exactly where we are as He equips us for what comes next. Character development and growth doesnt occur in the elevation. It occurs in the midst of the valley—when you want to shake your fist at God and scream WHY ME.

Believe me, I have wanted to ask that so many times. I have. But then— God gives little winks like this. My crescents were pressed on every side (rolling pin) but I didn’t crush them. The crescents needed the molding, the stretching, and even the moments to just be still as the inclusions absorbed properly. They needed the dusting of flour to absorb and keep the dough strong. The necessity of SELAH when you think you are ready to barge ahead and get through the storm is exactly why God is calling you to BE STILL as the thunder screams at you to run.

Next time you encounter a storm and the devil whispers that you can’t endure the storm—that you can’t take another step—that the rain is too heavy and you're going to drown- Whisper back; “He owns the storm.”

He hasnt left you. He’s making you into the storm the devil is trying to use to destroy you.

Trust Him.

Small Steps Create Big Shifts

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Turn Intention Into Action

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Make Room for Growth

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.