Stepping into You
Have you ever mistaken spiritual fatigue for a lack of purpose or passion?
On June 11th 2025, I was reading scripture and reflecting on this bible study question. Looking back at past decisions, I realized that I’ve been spiritually fatigued for most of my life. I possessed God given talents that I was not fully aware could allow me to step into my purpose until 10 years ago when a former boss, Polly, challenged me to start a food blog.
Sometimes we fail to realize that what comes naturally to us and seems hard for others are our God given talents.
Prior to that moment I prepared meals for myself, shared recipes with friends, made the party punch at friend’s gatherings, and just enjoyed cooking.Recipes came easy to me, I could write down verbal instructions and recreate a dish, create my own dish, or revise an existing recipe to my liking. While I enjoyed this, I didn’t think about monetizing the skill or stepping fully into it.
In March 2018 I was laid off from my job and started to strategize on a new job search. I reached out to a recruiter friend, Tanya, for ideas on what to do next. She knew I was not passionate about working in financial services and challenged me to step into an industry that inspired me. I thought to myself, DUH! Why didn’t I think of that? I was so deep into what I had been doing that I didn’t think of stepping outside of my comfort zone even though it was boring but reliable.
Back to the spiritual part…I wasn’t checking in with God before taking these actions, only praying for him to open the door that I wanted to walk through at the time. The end result was quitting each job after feeling unappreciated for my work and talents, frustrated with being micromanaged or disregarded, and just depleted from trying to fight for what I felt that I deserved. This left me wanting something more knowing that I wasn’t being fulfilled by a corporate job.
Looking back at my corporate career and life decisions, I knew the journey was for my good, but now I know that I need to be fully aligned with God’s purpose in all that I do. I want to walk the rest of my days with Him and know that we are always in sync - Amen!
It’s Funny How Things Work Out
I never wanted to cater or cook for people as a job, just create, and sell recipes (insert laugh here). In April 2025, I got the opportunity to work as a private chef for a CEO and his guests during the Master’s Tournament and it opened my eyes to a world that I’d been avoiding…you guessed it, cooking for people. What it revealed to me was all the things I’d been looking for in a corporate job: freedom to be me and not have to code switch, endless creativity, direct and positive feedback, feeling like I finally belonged in a space and could take up the space unapologetically, and being recognized for my God given talents. I didn’t have to fight for this role or explain why I deserved to be there, it was casually offered to me from a Chef in my culinary network.
God is the Master Chef
Food evokes memories, emotions, habits…it can be a mirror to who we are. Food is my art, and I am an artist. It’s by no mistake that the Master Artist (God) designed my path to get me here today.I want to walk the rest of my days with Him and know that we are always in sync - Amen!
Informal, Yet Formal, Culinary Education
Muva Said:
Be Bold
Be Different
Study Food Science
I got your back!
Aba Krakue Food & Beverage LLC. was created when I was emotionally, physically, and spiritually at my lowest while also suffering from Covid-19. This was before the vaccine was available and people were rapidly passing away. In the quiet moments of fear that I may not make it, I asked myself what my legacy would be if I didn’t wake up the next morning. I knew that I’d yet to step into my purpose and would be highly upset if my legacy included not pursuing my dreams. I wanted something more for myself but didn’t know how to package it into a vision. I knew my talents but I didn’t know how I wanted to monetize them. I used the lack of formal culinary education as a roadblock to move forward, afraid that I’d be considered a “fraud”. I submitted to procrastination and fear by constantly scrolling on instagram comparing myself to the accomplishments of chefs that I didn’t know or had nothing in common with.
Don’t let others accomplishments deter you from your dream, we all have something different to offer our communities because you are uniquely you.
Some chefs have a funny way of looking down on those that didn’t sweat in a commercial kitchen, restaurant, or went to culinary school and I let that rule my insecurities.
Black people of the diaspora created these spaces, fed the masses and thrived in business without formal education…just the will, determination and their God given talents. To name a few: B. Smith, Alberta Wright, Toukie Smith, and Pamela Strobel.
The Village Never Stops Helping
Reflecting on a different bible study after the Master’s opportunity it dawned on me that my 30 years of culinary and hospitality education came from my mother, mother’s mother, her mother ... .and my fathers too! I’ve been in culinary school since the age of 9: receiving verbal directions to prepare dinner and getting feedback on how to improve for the next time. Being introduced to new flavors and techniques by my mother who worked as a research chef, caterer, and food inspector. I’ve also traveled the world, tasted diverse flavors and learned new cooking techniques.
4 Generations of Culinary Excellence: Me, Muva (read mother), Muva’s Muva (Na), Muva’s Muva’s Muva (Nana)
Meal prepping my lunch each night for primary school and into my adult years making breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the week. Preparing meals for my grandparents while caring for them on the weekends. Preparing diabetic friendly meal plans for family and friends to help them achieve their goals. Changing my own lifestyle habits and relationships with food after discovering I have Insulin Resistant Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Hospitality training came from preparing the Thanksgiving table by ironing tablecloths, arranging place settings, serving family and friends, volunteering at food pantries and rescue missions.
So Yes! Life has been my teacher, test, and thesis. I had, have, and will have everything I need to succeed in His Holy Name. Remember, you have everything you need to succeed in His Holy Name - Amen!
My prayer is that this blogpost inspires you to be bold, fulfill your wildest dreams, and live out God’s purpose for your life.
Question Source: Change Church Gas Me Up Small Group Discussion Guide
