Recipe Memories

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 178: Today, I am grateful for recipe memories.

I saw this image for strawberry pretzel salad and smiled. This was Jill's go-to recipe for gatherings. It is so good. I have never made it, because she always did. I think it might have originally come from Donna Eigsti Roth. I am not 100% sure but it is delicious. (It is best the same day; there are rarely leftovers.)

Summer family gatherings and potlucks bring out our best recipes. The kaleidoscope of colors on the table is appealing. The lines move swiftly and the plates are always full. There is always plenty of laughter and conversation. The recipe exchange is part of the fellowship. 

The recipes from loved ones who are no longer with us are true treasures. Pride of Iowa will always make me think of Grandma Opal Maxine. Mama had a pineapple pie recipe that Uncle Lee loved. She never missed an opportunity to treat her brother. I need to look for it in her recipe box. I do not believe I have made it. 

My Turtle Brownies are a recipe I am often asked to bring. Turtle Brownies are expected at big family gatherings. What's not to love about a dark chocolate cake mix, butter, caramel, evaporated milk, chocolate chips, and pecans? Uncle Bob, Cousin Jim, niece in our hearts Kinga, and our dear friend, Gerald look for them. I am grateful that Jennifer has pans big enough for double batches and a double oven. 

Writing this post is making me smile. It is more about the love that goes into the food, more than any one recipe. And, it is about the way it is received with joy and anticipation. 

This scripture reminds me of God's desire to feed, protect, and bless his children: 

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." -Psalm 23:5

Today, I am grateful for recipe memories.

Discernment

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 177: Today, I am grateful for discernment. 

This image is from a social media bulletin board. I sparked many thoughts this morning. Discernment is not something we talk about enough in a world full of deception. 

In an era dominated by AI, discernment has become both rarer and more critical. Algorithmically fueled division spreads without restraint, making it easy to forget that the truth rarely occupies the extremes. A wise perspective holds that "there are two sides to every story, and the truth lies somewhere in the middle." But this raises a deeper paradox: can something be truthful, yet still inaccurate? Absolutely. And it is precisely in that nuance where true discernment lives.

"The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth" is associated with the oath taken before testifying in a courtroom, historically with a hand on the Bible. It is a bold statement. Not just before the judge and jury, but God. A Bible is not required, but it makes a statement. Commandment number nine states, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16).

"Deception is present and discernment is required at every click of the remote control or turn of the radio knob. It reminds me of the old Paul Harvey broadcast that warned against the potential danger of bringing televisions into our homes. Imagine what he would think of our world today. Every answer—or at least an engineered answer—is at our fingertips.

'And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light' (2 Corinthians 11:14).

I love to learn. I love discovering new things. Knowledge itself is not evil; it is how we use it. But when knowledge takes God's place in our lives and in our hearts, it becomes the altar where we worship. This thirst for knowledge is not new. It began in a garden where the temptation was to know what God knew… to be God's equal. They had only known the good, until their eyes were opened and they were introduced to evil. As Proverbs 16:18 reminds us, pride goes before a fall. The battleground hasn't changed; it has just moved to our screens."

Today, I am grateful for discernment. 

Traveling Light

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 176: Today, I am grateful for the challenge of traveling light. 

First born and "just in case" are in my genetics. It makes traveling light a challenge. It is so hard for me to keep it simple and basic when we travel. Randy has learned great patience over the past 42 years as a couple. 

This quote reminded me of the value in traveling light, although it is not referring to luggage. 

"Bring love wherever you go. Shine light wherever it's dark. Leave blessings wherever you've been. Be kind wherever you are." - Mary Davis

It is great advice and an excellent way to travel through life. We can make a splash or we can make a difference. A few can do both. 

Love, light , blessings, and kindness weigh little to nothing, but they have the power to change a home, a community, and a culture. 

"Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road." -Luke 10:4

The instruction was to travel light to keep the purpose in focus. "Greet no one" was to stay mission focused, not an instruction to be unfriendly. Traveling light allowed freedom to be truly present in sharing the good news of Christ. 

Obviously, in our culture today we need money, a bag, and shoes to travel. How can we travel light, be the light, and lighten the load of others as we share the heart of Jesus? 

Today, I am grateful for the challenge of traveling light. 

Modern Miracles

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 175: Today, I am grateful for modern miracles. 

It is a day for medicine and miracles. 

If you have heard me go on and on about "The Longbranch" restaurant back home in L'Erable , IL, I will make no apology. It is worth the 2 hour drive and I am blessed it is not far from Matt and Jennifer's house. They catered Ciara and Kenzie's weddings. It is our favorite place to eat when we are home. "Nick and Lindsay" are a part of many conversations, from the magic they make in the kitchen to a "Cheers" like welcome when you walk in the door of the restaurant. It is the epitome of what is great about living in small towns an hour from Chicago. 

A year ago, Nick got sick. Honestly, I do not think I've met Nick. Lindsay is the one out front when we are there with family and friends. Ultimately, it was kidney disease and it was stage 5. 

Kidney disease is a part of our Bess-Watson (St. John) family story. Grandma Opal Maxine died of kidney disease. Many have prayed with us for my cousin Tara Jo in recent years. Tara Jo has been blessed with the miracle of two kidneys. 

My Bess side of the family is big and the cousins are many. I was in college when they were born in their toddler/childhood years. In the pack, a group of three cousins formed a fierce closeness. They had no sisters. Tara-Jo (a brother), Crystal (an only child), and Molly (one oldest brother and four more... she was the only girl in the middle of identical twin boys). When Tara-Jo needed a kidney, Molly was tested but not even the same blood type. She promised herself that if she could ever give the gift of life... she would. 

Who would have ever dreamed that Molly would match Nick? Seriously, you can't make up that kind of miracle. And, they did not know each other, even being in neighboring towns. It feels like hope and a God-wink. 

In a few hours, the team at Rush will begin the work of harvesting Molly's gift and placing her kidney in Nick. I believe Crystal and Tara Jo are with her, if they can be. Her husband, Brian, loves her deeply and will be her rock as she heals. Her girls have witnessed how "loving your neighbor" looks in a big and beautiful way. Who knew it would be literally... a community neighbor? God did! 

"The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to full health." -Psalm 41:3

Today, I am grateful for modern miracles. 

Undying Hope

 

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 174: Today, I am grateful for undying hope.

This image sparked joy in my soul today. It talks about a decision we make every day, but adds a little whimsy to the final thought. 

"I've decided to carry some undying hope with me every day. As a treat."

Every single day we make choices about what we carry around with us. How we frame the day matters. Undying hope keeps us going. We know who set the stars in place and calls them out by name. The earth and other planets remain in their orbit, which is for us... the perfect distance from the sun. 

An astronaut's life was recently changed when seeing it from space brought him to a place of understanding that no accident brought us to this time and place. 

Sunrise comes each morning to wake the day. Sunset reminds us to rest. They come each day in such a way that we often miss the wonder and magic of it all. (Tip... add a beach and an ocean and the wonder is increased.) We put our hope in nature's rhythm and rules and forget to worship the One who created it all so perfectly. 

Evil is present in this world. Bad things happen, but God's goodness is with us now and forever.   

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." -Hebrews 11:1

Whatever the day brings, we can choose to carry a pocket full of undying hope every day. 

Today, I am grateful for undying hope.

Keeping Watch

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 173: Today, I am grateful for the watchkeepers. 

Those who keep watch keep us safe. Keeping watch has a long history with sailing vessels, but the idea has drifted into other military divisions and safety realms. Those who keep watch keep us safe. They look for fires, system failures, and security breaches. They are the ones to first see a problem that needs to be managed. Watchkeepers often save lives and save the day. 

We have a four-legged watchkeeper who is always on guard for suspicious people in the neighborhood. It is funny. If people are familiar, she is not as bothered. She recognizes strangers and strange dogs she does not know and goes on high alert. She alerts us to the comings and the goings in the neighborhood. 

A friend handed me this scripture once. I keep it close at my desk:

"the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." -Psalm 121:8

I am grateful that our Lord is steadfast in keeping watch. He does not need rest or sleep. What a comfort it is to know that our God watches over our comings and our goings! 

Nothing is unknown to Him. Evil is still present in the world, but we have a watchkeeper. We have those "trust your gut" moments when we make choices or we ignore the feeling. When we recognize "something is not right," we can investigate and respond appropriately. 

Situational awareness is key for those who keep watch. 

Today, I am grateful for the watchkeepers. 

Shelter

Daily Gratitude Year 14-Day 172: Today, I am grateful for shelter.

It is Father's Day in the USA. It is a day of mixed feelings as we celebrate the fathers and grandfathers around us. It can be mixed with sadness when we are the "oldest" generation in our family. Matt and I talk about Dad often. There is much to remember. He was one of a kind. We miss him. 

I think about the fathers we chose in marriage... our partners in parenting. I am grateful for mine. He would do anything for the kids and for me... and he often does. Love is in the little things. 

I think about the "Father Figures" beyond those given to us by birth. John Story comes quickly to mind. If you knew him... you know. My Uncle Larry was a second Dad... who loved us and disciplined us like his own. Uncle Mel taught me how much a parent's heart aches over their children's struggles... even when they don't express it to their children. Herb Roth spent 40 years as a father and grandfather figure in our lives. Monte Carl Willis Smith - a brother in love and uncle- but more like a grandpa to our kids. Denny Holm cannot be left out. He was one of a kind, too. I am sure I have forgotten someone... know it is not intentional. 

These men provided us with unconditional love, shelter, wisdom, and so much more. Father's provide shelter in such a way that we can rest when we are with them. Safe and sound. 

I love Joseph! I refuse to buy Christmas stamps that show Mary and Jesus if there is no Joseph. He chose to go through with the marriage knowing they would be laughed at, talked about, and disbelieved. He had some strong urging, but ultimately... he had to be willing. Joseph trusted God and fled with Jesus and Mary to Egypt until it was safe to return home, when Herod would have had the baby killed. Fathers protect their children. 

We can dwell and abide in the shadow of our Heavenly Father who covers us with His hand. 

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty." -Psalm 91:1

Today, I am grateful for shelter.