Taking the Bad with the Good

There is a lot of joy in the baking I do. To be in the kitchen creating brings calm, comfort and a sense of purpose. But there are moments of absolute frustration, as well. Preparing for a farmer's market or pop-up is difficult for any small business, but to do so with perishable products that can't be sold the next day...well, it's trying to say the least.

This weekend, I participated in a farmer's market that I have done monthly for nearly 6 months. I usually don't sell out, but I come pretty close! This weekend was not that weekend. This weekend I barely broke even. The cry on the drive home was not over the profit, or lack thereof. It was over the time spent away from my family.

Saturday was spent baking and packaging for the market. Sunday was spent trying to sell. All of it was spent away from my family. That's the part that is so frustrating and brought me to tears. It can be disheartening and bring doubts.

It is in those moments that I must remember that the bad comes with the good. Nothing is promised. There are lessons learned even when there is not success. And just maybe, my presence at that market was needed by someone I encountered. Each moment, when given to God for His glory, can become ministry and evangelization.

Today, as I type this, there was an unexpected phone call. Someone tried my pralines at an event and had to have the number of the person who made them. She was calling to place an order, so we move forward. In the tough moments, I have to remember the good. Life is good. God is good. All is well.

*The homemade sign is not my normal...it was another glitch in a day that didn't go as I planned, and maybe that's ok.