A few basic ingredients and a select cut of meat was all Doris needed to create a delicious meal. I frequented her table often. She was my grandmother-in-law.

But as I entered her kitchen one Sunday, I saw an unfamiliar sight. Doris looked puzzled. This was like seeing a florist confused in a flower shop. Masters of their craft aren’t easily stomped.

When I asked what was wrong, Doris pointed to a cake cooling in a pan on the table. She said, “I forgot the eggs!” On the other side of the table I saw six eggs neatly placed in a row. They looked like forgotten pearls.

The cake was a beautiful golden brown. But without the protein gems, it wasn’t her usual marvelous. Doris said she knew something was wrong when the cake didn’t rise.

We laughed about her eggless cake on several occasions. But I often thought about the significance of her baking mishap; particularly in light of God’s plan – His recipe for our lives.

 ”We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan.” – Romans 8:28 Voice

Life is a complicated mix. The combination of our sin and suffering, tragedies and triumphs, hopes and dreams make up the” everything” referred to in Romans 8:28. But God is the only one who is able to “orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful.”

Given the obstacles we encounter in life, it’s tempting to miss a step.

I can think of a few egg-periences I could do without. You probably have a few too. However, before we celebrate the idea of eliminating hard times, we need to consider the lessons we’ve learned through a difficulty or a priority we established after a loss.

Steps in our development toward spiritual maturity are not meant to be easy; they are meant to be transformational. Specifically, to conform us into the image of Christ. (see Romans 8:29)

Without difficulties we wouldn’t rise to meet a challenge. Rise to help someone else. Rise to our potential or see how much we need God.

The Romans 8:28 promise is for those who love the Giver of the promise and live according to His plan. If this gem is left out of the mix of our lives, like Doris’ cake we fail to rise too.

What’s missing from your marvelous?  A desire for more answers could prompt us towards more intimacy with the Almighty. A desire for more resources could prompt us towards better stewardship of what we already have.  A desire to see people change could be the call to love them in spite of their imperfections.

Whatever we feel like we’ve messed up or we’re missing in life, the next step is always the same: Draw closer to God.

He forgives our sins.

He heals our wounds.

He treasures our trust.

We don’t want to miss this step.

What’s far from marvelous can become a miracle when we place our faith in Christ.

As you consider your messy or marvelous mix, here’s some good news: God loves you. We can trust Him to blend the perfect amount of His mercy and grace into every situation in our lives.

He’s never baffled and He is always faithful to “orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful.” It’s a promise given to those who love the Promise Keeper, the One who gives hope for the heart and joy to the soul.

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.” – Psalm 139:14 NLT