It all started with a simple Facebook status...

A few days ago I did what so many people do...I vented, on Facebook. It wasn't about a relationship gone wrong or something a family member did to tick me off (that's lame and childish anyways). It was simply about my frustration about trying to find my little meatball a pair of shoes for his little feet, which seem to be growing at lightening speed lately!

And what I got back in return was unexpected. A friend emailed me a few shopping tips for our teeny town which is not the shopping metropolis that one might mistake it for HA! Then we caught up about life in and out of ministry. In just a couple of days we have exchanged emails that read more like a face to face conversation which I love and out of it came some huge, desperately needed reflections and encouragement.

This friend, forwarded me this devotional and something happened. It was like someone opened a window in the attic of my heart and started clearing away some of the cobwebs (I always thought that sounded nicer than spiderwebs).

It realized that I feel like our garden. It started out as a decent space and looked alright. We had great ideas about what to do with what would hopefully pop up through the dirt. Rather than robust vegetables we got weeds. Paul planted it and did a great job but over time the weeds grew up and choked everything out. Now it's hard to tell what we planted in the first place except for a few weathered and faded seed packets, that if I squint, I can still read them.

The little meatball and I walk out there around the side of the house where the "garden" is and all I see is weeds. I look at them and remember buying them and the thoughts I had about them but they are only memories. No real fruit or vegetables. Somehow time got away from me & other things became more important (& often more urgent) than weeding.

I look at the weeds and don't know where to start or what is critical to deal with because it all looks like a mess.Then I remember that God can do a lot with a little, even what seems to be a useless weed patch (which is how I feel at times).

Stuck

Have you ever been stuck?

In traffic?

A long line at Wal-Mart (who hasn't!)

In the mud?

A vicious cycle that keeps repeating itself?

I feel like I am there.

Stuck

Sometimes it's hard to figure out how to get out or even how you got there in the first place.

Sometimes you have been there so long that you can't remember how you got there in the first place.

I want to be content and I want OFF of this treadmill...I just need to do it.

Day 13. Write about something you would like to change about yourself for the better.

That's a hard one because in some respects I could make a long list and then there are those verses about God making me the way that I am and knowing me in my mother's womb. There are also verses about God using everything for good and knowing what is best for me so all of that makes me wonder what I SHOULD change about myself since He has made me just the way that I am apart from free will and all that...

But then there are my thoughts...

~ I wish I was thinner... (but I am 30lbs thinner than I was before having a baby).

~ I wish I looked different...(but my husband thinks I am beautiful & our son looks at me like there is no one he would rather stare at).

~ I wish I picked a different career/job... (but I wouldn't be able to spend the time that I do with our baby boy).

~ I wish I was more popular... (but then I might not notice the kids/people on the fringe that many popular people don't).

~ I wish all of the people I care about were within visiting distance without requiring a plane ride or long drive...( but then I might not be appreciative of the time I do get to spend with them & might not make our time more quality based).

So you see, I'm just not sure how to REALLY answer that question because I know in the end, God is working (VERY HARD- not due to His inability but my knuckle-headedness) to make me more like Jesus every day and that can't be a bad thing. I know that it doesn't mean that I get to kick back and do nothing. Instead I do need to realize that there are lots of things to work on but to remember why I want to change something before I go and grab the proverbial hammer and start tearing down the walls of my heart and mind. Although sometimes it seems like it could be a good idea....

Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.

A word-

myself

I find that if I would just do everything that I know that I ought to do, life would be so much simpler.

Not necessarily easier but simpler if that makes sense.

I fight against submitting to my husband even if it is only in my head.

I fight against H and his strong will

I fight against God and the Holy Spirit and what He tries to do in my life daily.

And all of this is exhausting.

I thought this was kind of funny!

Day 11. Post a recipe.

I would have to say most recently the recipe that I made (and have made many times before ) that was a hit was just simply Chicken Marsala. This isn't my EXACT recipe but it's close. I didn't feel like typing it out :)


Ingredients

4 ea Chicken half-breast, boneless & skinless
1/4 cup Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
Pepper to taste
1/2 tsp Oregano, dried
4 Tbsp Oil
4 Tbsp Butter (or margarine)
1 cup Fresh Mushrooms, sliced (or canned)
1/2 cup Marsala wine (chicken broth or cheap white wine also works)


Procedures


Pound chicken breasts between sheets of "Saran Wrap" until about 1/4" even-thickness
Combine flour, salt, pepper and oregano, blend
Dredge chicken pieces in the flour, shake off excess
Heat oil and butter in frying pan over medium heat.
Cook the breasts on medium heat for about two minutes on the first side, until lightly brown
Turn breasts over to second side to cook, add the mushrooms around the chicken breasts

The only difference is that I take the chicken out after it is done and put it aside. Sautee mushrooms and then mix in a can of cream of mushroom soup, add chicken back in to the mixture and simmer for about 10min.

Cook breasts about two more minutes, until lightly browned on the second side, stir the mushrooms
When lightly browned, add Marsala around the chicken pieces, cover and simmer for about ten minutes

I always serve with a side of whole wheat pasta-usually spaghetti.



Enjoy!