How to Sop Southern Style
Easter Lunch Table, ready to sop?
I broke bread to sop every last drop of gravy and roast beef drippings on my plate.
Two free entrées highlighted the meal, roast beef and chicken casserole. The Friday’s Easter menu also listed these items at no additional charge: gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, macaroni and cheese, and the cream corn my daughter made.
The featured dessert? Honey Bun cake. A decadent delight swirled with brown sugar and cinnamon, topped with the perfect glazed icing.
Take Your Seat
Time to be seated. Our grandson, Foster, placed at the head of the table as an onlooker. A feast fit for a king laid before us. And we didn’t disappoint. Second helpings became the sport of the day. We each held our own—our eyes not much bigger than our stomachs—not this day. I sopped the last morsels of my meal.
March 31, 2016 at 9:47 am | Uncategorized
It’s Easter—Go Big or Go Home!
Celebrating special holidays and occasions, tossed with the memories they create, bring me joy. I’m enthusiastic about reindeer, flags, turkeys, balloons, party hats, fireworks, hearts, costumes—all of it really.
Especially. All. Things. Easter. Bunnies, bright-colored eggs, baskets, and assorted candy. This year, we’re set to go big. Here’s how.
We’re blessed with an adult son, daughter and son-in-law. Our blessings also include two small fur-babies—family dogs. We call them our little kids. In January, one of the greatest blessings happened. Our first grandchild, Foster, entered the world. Of course, he’s perfect. Absolutely wonderful.
One tradition I’ve kept in place over the years—the kids each have an Easter basket that’s filled with glorious items.
March 24, 2016 at 10:21 am | Uncategorized
Back in the Day: The Lost Art of Social Manners and Work Ethic
Paternal Grandparents-Robert and Bertha Clarkston
Back in the day . . . .
My paternal grandfather passed away before I had a chance to know him. But I was raised near the apron strings of my grandmothers and the worn work boots of my maternal grandfather.
There’s a phrase I heard from each of them, “Back in the day . . . .”
Back in the Day: Stories Told
Albeit, the phrase was often a precursor to what we think of as treacherous, uncivilized back in the day stories. Narratives of how they walked uphill both ways to school (strange how that works). When money was tight, a Christmas gift was an orange—the kind you eat, not an orange dump truck, or an orange dress.
March 17, 2016 at 10:10 am | Uncategorized
The 3-2-1 Battle Plan: 3 Warriors. 2 Arms. 1 Mighty God.
3 Warriors: Me, Elaine, Amy
“Karen, please pray for me. I’m in a real battle.”
The voice on the phone belonged to my sister-in-law. Amy and I married into the Friday family. We’re both from small neighboring towns in the southwest Virginia mountains. There’s other common ground.
Ministering side by side for the past eight years on the ladies leadership team at church. We’ve facilitated Bible studies together, community and global mission projects, and women’s events. Countless conversations about family and life filled our friendship calendar over the years.
Battle Talk
And we’ve discussed God and battles. How to fight spiritual battles. How to recognize the enemy’s schemes. What to do when the forces of darkness come against us. Reminding each other that God’s Word admonishes His people to stand firm, to not back down or turn back.
March 10, 2016 at 10:11 am | Uncategorized
Can We Talk the Talk AND Walk the Walk?
I ironed a long-sleeved shirt for my husband, Mike, to preach in. It would be worn with his cool preacher jeans. Ten minutes into the sermon, I noticed him fiddling with his left sleeve. A gesture that continued.
After the service, Mike explained that when he moved his arms something slid down his sleeve. It peeked out his cuff a few times. So, he tucked it back in.
The worship band made their way on stage for the last song. Mike went to the back of the room to identify the stow away. A dryer sheet with fabric softener. “Cling free” was noted on the box for static electricity.
The experience reminded me of clingy things and people. How we call kids clingy in a physical sense and adults clingy in an emotional way.
But there’s something I’d also read in the Bible about being clingy.
March 3, 2016 at 10:41 am | Uncategorized
What the World Needs Now is . . .
I’ve always known exactly what I needed. More money and resources for a dream to be accomplished. Likeminded people on my team in life. A near-perfect marriage and kids. A job or career I enjoyed on any day—Mondays, long days, and extra days. And for the good parts of life to outweigh the bad. I mean really tip the scale toward good.
Here’s the thing. I was wrong on every account. When one came true, I only moved on to the next wish. The ones that did come true, didn’t stay that way long. None of these felt-based needs brought long-lasting satisfaction.
So, what do I need? What ushers in a well-spring of satisfaction deep down in my soul? What in the world can meet the world’s hunger of soul or thirst of spirit?
February 25, 2016 at 11:14 am | Uncategorized
Can A Genuine Christian Do Evil?
Do what’s right, not what’s wrong. A conflict known to every man and woman. If we’re brutally honest, Christians and the church are very familiar with the struggle.
Right VS Wrong/Good VS Evil
“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate” Romans 7:15.
The Apostle Paul’s writing to the church at Rome. He had a unregenerate past. Persecuting Christ-followers and the early church.
But this is the new Paul—transformed. The man who met God and lived his latter years devoted to serving the church he tried to destroy. He journeyed on missionary trips, shared the gospel with countless people, and wrote letters to the churches to teach God’s truths and aid in their spiritual growth.
The question has been raised if Paul’s speaking here as a Christian under grace. I like how John Piper tackles the answer.
February 18, 2016 at 8:00 am | Uncategorized
There’s Never Been an Emergency Meeting in Heaven
Heaven doesn’t have emergency meetings.
Calling All Floor Pacers
I glanced at the clock in the hospital’s surgical waiting room. My heart was racing faster than the second hand ticking away the time. My five-year-old daughter was having a cyst removed from her leg.
The procedure was scheduled at the hospital after a failed attempt in the surgeon’s medical office. What were they thinking? A young child was going to lay on her stomach while they numbed and performed the incision, removal, and stitching? Really?
We could hear her crying and screaming down the hallway. The doctor advised we were moving to plan B—under anesthesia at the hospital. “She’s not going to cooperate for us to do it here at our offices.”
Well doc, I could have told you that. Yet, I didn’t want deep sedation either. I’d wished there was another option. But the cyst had grown and spread into her calf’s muscle tissue. It would be tested for cancer. I was worried.
February 11, 2016 at 8:00 am | Uncategorized
You’re a Keeper—Lessons From Fishing and Life
I remember the first time I went fishing. It was with my dad. My twin sister and I hadn’t seen him in several years. Now back in our lives, visits with him included adventures—roller skating, target shooting, and scary movies.
A memorable adventure was fishing. I didn’t like dealing with worms that squirmed or baiting the hooks.
There’s something I quickly learned about fishing—not all fish were keepers.
Maybe, it’s just the sport of fishing—to say you caught this fish—then throw it back. Possibly, it’s for dinner or a fish story. You know, the thrill of using hands to describe you caught a humdinger. Perhaps, it’s to pose with a fish for a picture or a fishing contest. But sometimes the fish isn’t the one you were hoping to catch.
You keep some, you throw some back.
February 4, 2016 at 9:28 am | Uncategorized
God Doesn’t Need How-To Classes or Webinars
Have you ever taken a class on how to do something? Maybe, like me, you’ve signed up for free webinars, watched an online video, and read an article or book with step-by-step instructions.
There’s no shortage of information to assist in various pursuits.
Need gardening 101? What about steps in fixing your clogged sink—fixing your spouse or defiant child? Starting a business? Want to finally keep New Year’s resolutions? Lose weight? Get healthy? Home remedies? Pick the winning lotto numbers? Curious how they do that? (And that is just about anything.)
The How-To Trap
I’ve completed how-to classes on writing a book and webinars for sales and marketing tips. My inbox receives weekly emails on interests in the publishing industry and inspirational devotions for Christian living.
January 28, 2016 at 12:03 am | Uncategorized