Sometimes the rubber meets the road. We screech to a halt. Where we face our frailty, ineptness, fears.
We're forced to lay down our arms. Lay down our opinions. Lay down at the foot of the cross.
And hold on to His truths. His security. His hand. We have to choose to hold our grip on peace and know that it will bypass our dim wittedness, shroud our doubts, and face down our fears.
Yes, when the rubber meets the road, fear meets Faith.
doubt meets Hope.
anxiety meets Truth.
depression meets Joy.
stubborn independence meets Rest.
you, and i, meet our Savior, Jesus.
When your rubber meets your road, may your journey be peace-filled... Godspeed.
*Here I Am, Shawn McDonald
I lay myself at Your feet
Asking You won't You meet
Won't You meet me
I cannot do it on my own
I cannot do it all alone
Here I am, oh, tonight
With my arms open wide
Won't You come inside
Won't You come inside, God
Come and fill this heart of mine
I'm in need of You
Of Your touch, of Your life, of Your love
I need You
I need You
October 31, 2010
October 29, 2010
C&E
Talking about Javier's salvation this week got me thinking about my own. Something he said in the Q&A dug up some dirt in my soul. Particularly this answer he gave--
This was earth shattering to me: that the King of all kings would send His only Son to die for ME and forgive all my sins. I still love thinking about that.
Here's the ugly truth: I don't "still love thinking about that." Not like Jav does. I mulled this over with my friend Wendy.
I said, "Wendy, I rarely contemplate and joy in Jesus' gift of His death and life. Except...except at Christmas. And...well, of course at Easter. {cue light bulb} Wendy! I think I'm a C&E christian!"
You know...the peeps that show up at church only on Christmas & Easter. Realization: I lose the wonder of it all until I celebrate Advent, read the Christmas story, set out my nativity set. Or until I step into Ash Wednesday/Maundy Thursday/Good Friday/Easter Sunday week.
I'm not saying this to be all wowzie-wowzie-woo-woo. That's just the blatant truth that saddens me. It's the homesick kind of sadness that rears this ugly head: I've taken all the goodness of home for granted.
I'm not comfortable with being so comfortable with Jesus. I'm not pleased that I take for granted all He has done/does/will do. It's not fair to Him, me, or others that may be watching my relationship with Him. You see, I grew up in a christian home. I am l-o-a-d-e-d with church, Sunday school, VBS, youth group, Bible studies, prayer groups, conferences. You could say I'm weathered, old hat, been-there/done-that/bought the t-shirt {that's right, I said it!}
When your mom cooks your fav meal for you each time you visit, it's easy to not notice how delicious it is or the hard work it takes. When your dad fills your car up with gas time and again, it's easy to not notice as you cruise out of town. When you curl up safe in the same bed year after year, it's easy to not appreciate the soft warmth. Yes, it's easy to forget the love Christ showed us when He died and resurrected. We {I} need that appreciation and wonder to be restored.
That all came to me in the morning. Later in the day I checked my friend Eileen's blog post. Boy.oh.boy.
The title? "Restore Me."
Her beautiful, simple words of truth beckon my homesick heart. And the song she posted {see below} resonates. I don't want to wait for Christmas to roll around to pray this prayer, Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. ~Psalm 51. I'm going home with a restored perspective, restored appreciation and restored heart.
How about you?
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. ~Psalm 13:5
This was earth shattering to me: that the King of all kings would send His only Son to die for ME and forgive all my sins. I still love thinking about that.
Here's the ugly truth: I don't "still love thinking about that." Not like Jav does. I mulled this over with my friend Wendy.
I said, "Wendy, I rarely contemplate and joy in Jesus' gift of His death and life. Except...except at Christmas. And...well, of course at Easter. {cue light bulb} Wendy! I think I'm a C&E christian!"
You know...the peeps that show up at church only on Christmas & Easter. Realization: I lose the wonder of it all until I celebrate Advent, read the Christmas story, set out my nativity set. Or until I step into Ash Wednesday/Maundy Thursday/Good Friday/Easter Sunday week.
I'm not saying this to be all wowzie-wowzie-woo-woo. That's just the blatant truth that saddens me. It's the homesick kind of sadness that rears this ugly head: I've taken all the goodness of home for granted.
I'm not comfortable with being so comfortable with Jesus. I'm not pleased that I take for granted all He has done/does/will do. It's not fair to Him, me, or others that may be watching my relationship with Him. You see, I grew up in a christian home. I am l-o-a-d-e-d with church, Sunday school, VBS, youth group, Bible studies, prayer groups, conferences. You could say I'm weathered, old hat, been-there/done-that/bought the t-shirt {that's right, I said it!}
When your mom cooks your fav meal for you each time you visit, it's easy to not notice how delicious it is or the hard work it takes. When your dad fills your car up with gas time and again, it's easy to not notice as you cruise out of town. When you curl up safe in the same bed year after year, it's easy to not appreciate the soft warmth. Yes, it's easy to forget the love Christ showed us when He died and resurrected. We {I} need that appreciation and wonder to be restored.
That all came to me in the morning. Later in the day I checked my friend Eileen's blog post. Boy.oh.boy.
The title? "Restore Me."
Her beautiful, simple words of truth beckon my homesick heart. And the song she posted {see below} resonates. I don't want to wait for Christmas to roll around to pray this prayer, Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. ~Psalm 51. I'm going home with a restored perspective, restored appreciation and restored heart.
How about you?
But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. ~Psalm 13:5
October 28, 2010
Beginnings
If you're joining from Proverbs 31 Ministries Daily Devotion, welcome! I asked Javier some questions and am blown away by his answers. I'm inspired to continue planting seeds...hope you are too!!
A. I grew up in Costa Rica, where near 100% of the population is Catholic. So, yes, I grew up hearing about the Lord. The difference was that I learned more about traditions and rituals about the church than about God's love for me.
Q. How many people had an impact on you coming to know Christ?
A. Hard to tell, but I am sure there were several. Like I wrote to you in that email, I truly felt God was planting seeds in my life. There were key people that were placed there for a reason. That reason was to learn about our loving God who has known me by name since before I was born.
Q. What things happened along the way that turned your heart to the Lord?
A. I feel that my story is one of a long courtship. God loved me so much and never gave up on me. I knew about Him since I was little, but I didn't know He loved ME this much until my late 20s. He has been there with me along some hard parts of my life when I really doubted Him.
Q.Would you mind sharing about your moment of salvation?
A. I knew about God, but going to church meant standing when everyone else stood, kneeling when everyone else did, and trying to make it through the sermon. I really did not enjoy going. That continued and worsened when I was older and had the choice to attend. College life was hard as I felt so separated from God; I deeply felt sad and empty. I joined a fraternity and that just made me feel worse as we spent a lot of time partying.
I was accepted to Physician Assistant school at a small christian university in 2000 and it was there were I was surrounded even more by God. Our class would pray every day and [I thought] that it was so weird.
Things didn't change much after grad school. [Though] I made some good friends that helped me along my path to becoming a christian.
I started going to a small church with a friend. I could not believe the things Pastor Craig said. It was so apparent then that it wasn't about how good I had been or will be. It wasn't about good deeds or how much money I gave. God loves me for who I am and doesn't care about my past. ALL my sins were forgiven when He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay for my sins--when what I really deserved was definitely not salvation.
This was earth shattering to me. I'd never heard of these things; that the King of all kings would send His only Son to die for ME and forgive all my sins. I still love thinking about that.
A few weeks later Pastor Craig told me how to accept Christ; I didn't know how. There was no application to fill out. He said to ask God to restore my heart, so that is exactly what I did. I did not have a moment where I spoke to God. My [salvation] was at that sincere moment when I told God I knew I was broken and needed Him to restore my heart. If it was left up to me, I knew I couldn't change.
I almost feel as if God was with me all those years, courting me, but didn't make me His bride until I was ready to accept Him.
Q. Any advice/wisdom for those praying for someone to come to know Christ?
A. When people approached me about God I automatically wanted to run the opposite way. I probably learned more about God by watching how He changed friends' lives. Just being around them and them being casual about it worked for me. I found myself asking questions when I was ready. They waited patiently to share the Good News with me rather than being aggressive. My advice would be to love on your friends that don't know Christ and be patient to share the Gospel. They will eventually want to learn all about His love for us.
Thank you Javier! I really appreciate you sharing your testimony! Especially the part of how God courted you with His love.
Leave a comment to be entered in the Louie Giglio's How Great is Our God DVD series give-away.
Journeys cannot always be measured in physical distance. ~Shawn McDonald
Faith is not merely a journey for the feet, but it is a journey for the heart. ~AW Tozer
Faith is not merely a journey for the feet, but it is a journey for the heart. ~AW Tozer
{Javier and his beautiful wife, Nicole}
Q. Growing up, did you hear about the Lord in your home?A. I grew up in Costa Rica, where near 100% of the population is Catholic. So, yes, I grew up hearing about the Lord. The difference was that I learned more about traditions and rituals about the church than about God's love for me.
Q. How many people had an impact on you coming to know Christ?
A. Hard to tell, but I am sure there were several. Like I wrote to you in that email, I truly felt God was planting seeds in my life. There were key people that were placed there for a reason. That reason was to learn about our loving God who has known me by name since before I was born.
Q. What things happened along the way that turned your heart to the Lord?
A. I feel that my story is one of a long courtship. God loved me so much and never gave up on me. I knew about Him since I was little, but I didn't know He loved ME this much until my late 20s. He has been there with me along some hard parts of my life when I really doubted Him.
Q.Would you mind sharing about your moment of salvation?
A. I knew about God, but going to church meant standing when everyone else stood, kneeling when everyone else did, and trying to make it through the sermon. I really did not enjoy going. That continued and worsened when I was older and had the choice to attend. College life was hard as I felt so separated from God; I deeply felt sad and empty. I joined a fraternity and that just made me feel worse as we spent a lot of time partying.
I was accepted to Physician Assistant school at a small christian university in 2000 and it was there were I was surrounded even more by God. Our class would pray every day and [I thought] that it was so weird.
Things didn't change much after grad school. [Though] I made some good friends that helped me along my path to becoming a christian.
I started going to a small church with a friend. I could not believe the things Pastor Craig said. It was so apparent then that it wasn't about how good I had been or will be. It wasn't about good deeds or how much money I gave. God loves me for who I am and doesn't care about my past. ALL my sins were forgiven when He sent His Son Jesus Christ to pay for my sins--when what I really deserved was definitely not salvation.
This was earth shattering to me. I'd never heard of these things; that the King of all kings would send His only Son to die for ME and forgive all my sins. I still love thinking about that.
A few weeks later Pastor Craig told me how to accept Christ; I didn't know how. There was no application to fill out. He said to ask God to restore my heart, so that is exactly what I did. I did not have a moment where I spoke to God. My [salvation] was at that sincere moment when I told God I knew I was broken and needed Him to restore my heart. If it was left up to me, I knew I couldn't change.
I almost feel as if God was with me all those years, courting me, but didn't make me His bride until I was ready to accept Him.
Q. Any advice/wisdom for those praying for someone to come to know Christ?
A. When people approached me about God I automatically wanted to run the opposite way. I probably learned more about God by watching how He changed friends' lives. Just being around them and them being casual about it worked for me. I found myself asking questions when I was ready. They waited patiently to share the Good News with me rather than being aggressive. My advice would be to love on your friends that don't know Christ and be patient to share the Gospel. They will eventually want to learn all about His love for us.
Thank you Javier! I really appreciate you sharing your testimony! Especially the part of how God courted you with His love.
Leave a comment to be entered in the Louie Giglio's How Great is Our God DVD series give-away.
October 27, 2010
Best Email Ever!
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. ~1 Corinthians 3:6
Every story has a beginning, middle and end. The same is true for the story of our life. Our education starts in kindergarten, goes through elementary and middle schools and ends in high school or college. A romantic relationship begins with friendship, passes into dating and culminates in marriage. Meals start with appetizers, lead to a main entrée and finish with dessert.
How about our salvation story? The middle of every believer’s salvation story is a relationship with God, and the end is eternity with Him. What about the beginning? That’s different for everyone. Maybe a salvation-seed is planted while attending church with a neighbor. Perhaps a grandma's prayers are rays of sunshine on a cold heart. Hard, bitter soil may soften through the kindness of a women making room on the pew. Or roots sprout when a stranger in the front of the line buys lunch for those behind her.
Yes, every salvation story has a beginning. Have you considered the possibility that you could be part of someone’s beginning? Unbeknownst to me, I was part of my friend Javier’s!
Javier and I were neighbors in college a decade ago. Our roommates dated, so we hung out often. We cooked dinner. Spent lazy afternoons watching movies. Cheered next to each other at football games. When I took guitar lessons, Javier taught me chords. Despite all this time together, I'm sorry to say I rarely brought the Lord up in conversation. Over the years we’ve kept in touch sporadically. So when Javier sent me this email, I was humbled and amazed.
Just wanted to thank you for being in my life in college. I came to Christ about four years or so ago and when looking back in my life, I think of people that were examples I wanted to follow. Even though we hardly talked about God, I knew you were a Christian and really admired that about you. Talk about planting a seed that didn't bear fruit right away. 10 years in the making. I am glad I am able to tell people who helped me find Christ how important they were.
The day I received Javier’s email was one of the best days of my life! To know I had planted a seed in his salvation-story is an honor. Our key verse teaches we each can play an important role in bringing salvation to others. We may not always be fortunate enough to know the outcome of the seeds we plant, or water, but we can have confidence the Lord will cause growth.
Javier’s story inspires me to plant more seeds by being intentional with my words, deeds and actions. I want to be the neighbor, grandma, woman or stranger... the friend or family member ... church member or coworker ... who plays a role in the salvation stories of others. How about you?
Join Javier and me tomorrow for a Q&A! I learned a lot from his answers on reaching out to those who don't know the Lord! Plus, I'm giving away Louie Giglio's How Great is Our God DVD!!
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ~John 13:35
Every story has a beginning, middle and end. The same is true for the story of our life. Our education starts in kindergarten, goes through elementary and middle schools and ends in high school or college. A romantic relationship begins with friendship, passes into dating and culminates in marriage. Meals start with appetizers, lead to a main entrée and finish with dessert.
How about our salvation story? The middle of every believer’s salvation story is a relationship with God, and the end is eternity with Him. What about the beginning? That’s different for everyone. Maybe a salvation-seed is planted while attending church with a neighbor. Perhaps a grandma's prayers are rays of sunshine on a cold heart. Hard, bitter soil may soften through the kindness of a women making room on the pew. Or roots sprout when a stranger in the front of the line buys lunch for those behind her.
Yes, every salvation story has a beginning. Have you considered the possibility that you could be part of someone’s beginning? Unbeknownst to me, I was part of my friend Javier’s!
Javier and I were neighbors in college a decade ago. Our roommates dated, so we hung out often. We cooked dinner. Spent lazy afternoons watching movies. Cheered next to each other at football games. When I took guitar lessons, Javier taught me chords. Despite all this time together, I'm sorry to say I rarely brought the Lord up in conversation. Over the years we’ve kept in touch sporadically. So when Javier sent me this email, I was humbled and amazed.
Just wanted to thank you for being in my life in college. I came to Christ about four years or so ago and when looking back in my life, I think of people that were examples I wanted to follow. Even though we hardly talked about God, I knew you were a Christian and really admired that about you. Talk about planting a seed that didn't bear fruit right away. 10 years in the making. I am glad I am able to tell people who helped me find Christ how important they were.
The day I received Javier’s email was one of the best days of my life! To know I had planted a seed in his salvation-story is an honor. Our key verse teaches we each can play an important role in bringing salvation to others. We may not always be fortunate enough to know the outcome of the seeds we plant, or water, but we can have confidence the Lord will cause growth.
Javier’s story inspires me to plant more seeds by being intentional with my words, deeds and actions. I want to be the neighbor, grandma, woman or stranger... the friend or family member ... church member or coworker ... who plays a role in the salvation stories of others. How about you?
Join Javier and me tomorrow for a Q&A! I learned a lot from his answers on reaching out to those who don't know the Lord! Plus, I'm giving away Louie Giglio's How Great is Our God DVD!!
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:16
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ~John 13:35
October 26, 2010
Never, Never, Never Give In
Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy. ~Winston Churchill, Commencement address at Harrow School, 1941.
In 1913 Jean Giono, a French author, was climbing in the French Alps. Deforestation had striped the mountains, leaving them bare of trees and people. Villages, streams, and forests were devoid of life.
One night, Giono was offered the hospitality of a shepherd. He sat in wonderment as the shepherd sorted through countless acorns. He shared with Giono that for three years he had faithfully planted 100,000 acorns.
Roughly 20,000 had taken root and were growing.
Time went by and after more than 30 years, Giono re-visited the shepherd. New life surrounded him!
A vast forest filled the barren land and bubbling streams curved through the once-again populated village. All thanks to the efforts of one man planting one acorn at a time after time after time. Talk about perseverance and grit! I haven't planted an acorn. But I have gardened. Hot days, bent over, knees digging in the ground...it's hard work people!
How about you? Have you been "planting" for years? Praying for a friend to come to know the Lord? Keep planting those prayers and moments you get to just "be" with them. Maybe you've waited for a job. I know it's discouraging, but send another resume, make that one extra call. Or perhaps you're longing to be married. It may be time to try a new single's group at church or ask a friend if they know anyone. Not every seed we plant will sprout. But some will...yes, some will.
Check out Churchill's address again and imagine he's speaking those words to you: Never, Never, Never Give In!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. ~Psalm 119:148
In 1913 Jean Giono, a French author, was climbing in the French Alps. Deforestation had striped the mountains, leaving them bare of trees and people. Villages, streams, and forests were devoid of life.
One night, Giono was offered the hospitality of a shepherd. He sat in wonderment as the shepherd sorted through countless acorns. He shared with Giono that for three years he had faithfully planted 100,000 acorns.
Roughly 20,000 had taken root and were growing.
Time went by and after more than 30 years, Giono re-visited the shepherd. New life surrounded him!
A vast forest filled the barren land and bubbling streams curved through the once-again populated village. All thanks to the efforts of one man planting one acorn at a time after time after time. Talk about perseverance and grit! I haven't planted an acorn. But I have gardened. Hot days, bent over, knees digging in the ground...it's hard work people!
How about you? Have you been "planting" for years? Praying for a friend to come to know the Lord? Keep planting those prayers and moments you get to just "be" with them. Maybe you've waited for a job. I know it's discouraging, but send another resume, make that one extra call. Or perhaps you're longing to be married. It may be time to try a new single's group at church or ask a friend if they know anyone. Not every seed we plant will sprout. But some will...yes, some will.
Check out Churchill's address again and imagine he's speaking those words to you: Never, Never, Never Give In!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. ~Psalm 119:148
October 25, 2010
Who Do You Love?
"Give me a place to stand, a lever long enough, and I will move the world." ~Archimedes
Read this today and loved it. You know I'm all about changing the world.
But
I
Don't
Want
To
Change
The
World
until I change the world of the one in front of me. By my love. My time. My peace. My Jesus.
I just don't. It's not fair to them, and I have a feeling I'll be cheating myself too.
This reality smacked me upside my heart today. With an ache for someone I love to my core. She's hurting. Bad. Real bad.
And I know...I coulda/shoulda/woulda loved her more, deeper, better.
How desperately I want to. I sit here and grieve. Grieve the hours glued to the boob tube; or stuffing my face in a fiction; or clicking on photos ofafriendofafriendofafriend on Facebook. Wasted hours when I coulda/shoulda been loving her.
So here I am...asking humbly, Give me a place to stand again in her life Lord. Help me take hold of the lever. Cause now...now I see the vitalness of moving her world. With love. With time. With peace...With Jesus.
Maybe there's a knock on your heart's door about someone. Maybe that means turning off the tv. Putting down the Kindle. Picking up a ball. And opening your heart to loving, eyes to seeing, arms to hugging, ears to listening and mouth to speaking kind, gentle words.
Remember, conviction to act is different than acting out of guilt. Sit with the Lord and ask...how can I move her/his world today? I bet it'll be sweet and amazing. I'd love to hear about it...
Read this today and loved it. You know I'm all about changing the world.
But
I
Don't
Want
To
Change
The
World
until I change the world of the one in front of me. By my love. My time. My peace. My Jesus.
I just don't. It's not fair to them, and I have a feeling I'll be cheating myself too.
This reality smacked me upside my heart today. With an ache for someone I love to my core. She's hurting. Bad. Real bad.
And I know...I coulda/shoulda/woulda loved her more, deeper, better.
How desperately I want to. I sit here and grieve. Grieve the hours glued to the boob tube; or stuffing my face in a fiction; or clicking on photos ofafriendofafriendofafriend on Facebook. Wasted hours when I coulda/shoulda been loving her.
So here I am...asking humbly, Give me a place to stand again in her life Lord. Help me take hold of the lever. Cause now...now I see the vitalness of moving her world. With love. With time. With peace...With Jesus.
Maybe there's a knock on your heart's door about someone. Maybe that means turning off the tv. Putting down the Kindle. Picking up a ball. And opening your heart to loving, eyes to seeing, arms to hugging, ears to listening and mouth to speaking kind, gentle words.
Remember, conviction to act is different than acting out of guilt. Sit with the Lord and ask...how can I move her/his world today? I bet it'll be sweet and amazing. I'd love to hear about it...
October 24, 2010
Memory Jar
I want to catch certain memories like fireflies in a mason jar. And set them on my night stand, gazing at their flickering joy throughout the dark night. I would poke holes in the tin cap, and let their sweet scent of warmth radiate throughout the room.
Yes, there are certain memories I wish I could capture. But that possibility would negate those bright fleeting times from becoming memories.
So I create more memories to fill my precious jar.
I sing songs.
Pour over photo albums.
Bake sweet treats. Especially in the fall and winter seasons.
My family lived 5 hours from my grandparents. Trekking there after my dad got off work guaranteed an arrival close to midnight. No matter the hour, my Nanny always had a pot of spaghetti, New England clam chowder, baked beans, brown bread, and cookies waiting for us. Walking into my Nanny and Grampy's was walking into a hug. Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and even strangers were welcome to sidle up to the table and partake in the bounty all throughout the day.
My mom has carried on the extravagant feasts for the multitudes. We used to set an extra plate at the dinner table for the not officially invited, but always welcome, anticipated guest who would "just happen to show up" at dinner time! (usually a local college student). In autumn, our guests were treated to my mom's scrumptious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert! My memory bank is full of these delicious goodies! Soft and sweet, these babies are dee-vine!
Part of creating new memories to fill our jar is inviting others into our stories; sharing our history and what makes us who we are. Cooking and sharing family recipes is part of my story. So I shared my mom's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe with LeAnn Rice at She Cooks! LeAnn's heart is also to share her story, her life, and her Jesus with others. She does so with the warmth and grace of a true servant and she whips up love and memories to share not only in her kitchen, but every where she goes. Visit her blog, She Cooks, for the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and bake a batch for yourself tonight! While you're there, make sure to check out LeAnn's other recipes.
I'd love to light up my memory jar a bit more with a memory with you! Please leave a comment with your favorite family recipe! It just might make it to my table one night!
Yes, there are certain memories I wish I could capture. But that possibility would negate those bright fleeting times from becoming memories.
So I create more memories to fill my precious jar.
I sing songs.
Pour over photo albums.
Bake sweet treats. Especially in the fall and winter seasons.
My family lived 5 hours from my grandparents. Trekking there after my dad got off work guaranteed an arrival close to midnight. No matter the hour, my Nanny always had a pot of spaghetti, New England clam chowder, baked beans, brown bread, and cookies waiting for us. Walking into my Nanny and Grampy's was walking into a hug. Aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and even strangers were welcome to sidle up to the table and partake in the bounty all throughout the day.
My mom has carried on the extravagant feasts for the multitudes. We used to set an extra plate at the dinner table for the not officially invited, but always welcome, anticipated guest who would "just happen to show up" at dinner time! (usually a local college student). In autumn, our guests were treated to my mom's scrumptious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies for dessert! My memory bank is full of these delicious goodies! Soft and sweet, these babies are dee-vine!
Part of creating new memories to fill our jar is inviting others into our stories; sharing our history and what makes us who we are. Cooking and sharing family recipes is part of my story. So I shared my mom's Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe with LeAnn Rice at She Cooks! LeAnn's heart is also to share her story, her life, and her Jesus with others. She does so with the warmth and grace of a true servant and she whips up love and memories to share not only in her kitchen, but every where she goes. Visit her blog, She Cooks, for the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and bake a batch for yourself tonight! While you're there, make sure to check out LeAnn's other recipes.
I'd love to light up my memory jar a bit more with a memory with you! Please leave a comment with your favorite family recipe! It just might make it to my table one night!
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