They didn’t throw in the towel when all the odds were stacked against them. They took the bitter disappointment on the chin, pick themselves up and kept going. Even against all odds, they still cling to hope.
I have been blessed with the gift of tenacity. No matter how defeated I have felt in the past.( and there have been many times.) I still knew deep within me that giving up wasn’t an option.
The closest time I ever came to giving up was when I decided to close my pie shop and move to Florida. 2020 and 2021 had been such hard years especially for small businesses. I felt alone as I had lost everything. I knew, though that there were so many people feeling the same way as I was. I honestly thought I would never create again.
It took a few years to heal from failure and disappointment. But after the gray clouds cleared, I could finally see what I needed to learn in all of that so-called failure. I needed to be refined by fire and I needed some time to really think about. What did God want of me?
As an entrepreneur sometimes we’re so focused on our goals and what our vision is we don’t stop and listen and let God instill His vision in us.
When the Bible talks about that still small voice and sitting alone and listening, and letting God heal the wounds, there is really something to that!
I finally felt ready to move forward, but I had a different outlook. I was once again ready to create, but before I step out I pray and ask God, "Be with me. Hem me in, I want to listen to you God".
I started by writing a new book, going on podcasts like Heartland Journal's, reading books, cooking, and baking again. The secret is believing it’s never too late to re-create.
God is the ultimate creator and he put us on this earth to create.
So we might as well get to it!
Blessings
Basil, Feta and roasted red pepper muffins
Preheat oven to 375*
INGREDIENTS
2 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
4 Tbs fresh minced basil
1/4 cup red onion
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, combine the egg, buttermilk and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the cheese, peppers, basil and onion.
Fill greased muffins cups three-fourths full. Bake at 375* for 16-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm...enjoy with someone you love!
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.
Recipe courtesy of Gigi Butler © Copyright 2025 Heartland Journal, LLC
