I taught an adult ladies Sunday school class for many years and one of the things I always preached about was getting in your "closet" to get one on one with God. My back porch is my closet. This is where I go when I have a problem or just need to commune with the Lord. What better place is there as a thin screen is all that separates me from all the grandeur of nature around me.
I look over the fast growing green fields quickly filling with the little yellow wild flowers that I just love and that my husband calls bitter weeds. But I know when I see these tiny yellow blooms mixing with the purple phlox, that spring is so close. I always see spring as a new beginning not only for the grasses and wildflowers but also for me. I have another chance to renew my spirit and make a difference in something or someone.
I have kept a prayer journal for several years, not because I can't remember but because I want to be sure I lift that person or need up in prayer. I know you too, have friends and acquaintances saying, "please pray for me". If I ask you to send a prayer up for me or my family, I am in need of that petition and I'm trusting you to follow through.
I had a friend once, she's gone home now, but I remember asking her to pray for me in the grocery store one day and she said, "Let's just pray right now." There we were holding on to each other and praying, out loud in the produce aisle of Sunflower. I love people like that.
I was somewhat raised by a grandmother who was a Baptist Charismatic who spoke in tongues when she was filled with the Holy Spirit and sometimes when she talked to my granddaddy. I, at that young age had no inkling as to what she was saying but I knew enough to be quiet in the moment, bow my head and wait for her to end her frantic and furious speaking. And, she prayed for everything, everything. She told me once that if the good Lord cared about the big things in her life, why would he not aid her in her less serious concerns. So if she misplaced something I sometimes would hear her say, "Now Lord can you show me where I threw down that spatula?" She depended on Him for the big things, the little things, and just anything.
At these times in our lives some, too many of us, depend on "something" though not the correct "something". Some live to get that next hit of a feel good drug, or that next hypnotic drink of alcohol. All of us to some extent have an addiction that we cannot so easily give up. For some it may be food, for me it's reading and cooking. If I become depressed by something that's happened or from something happening not according to plan, then I COOK. That would be a night that my husband would get an excellent, delicious supper. Cooking is my anti-depression drug. If you happen to drop in for a visit on one of these days, I might serve you one of my "most original concoctions", and then you could help me clean my kitchen
Sometimes we like a "fast food meal". Well, somewhat fast food. Last night we had home made pizza. Here's my recipe.
Homemade Pizza
Crust
1 1/3 cups of warm water
1 package of yeast
1 T. sugar,
2 T. Olive oil,
3 1/2 cups of All Purpose flour.
Whisk warm water, yeast and sugar into a small bowl and let rest for ten minutes.
Then mix together with the flour and Olive oil.
Mix well with your hands or a stand mixer until well incorporated. Don't add too much flour as you don't want it too dry.
Place in a greased bowl and let rise for 60 - 90 minutes. It will double in size.
Be sure to grease your bowl.
Shape the dough into two pizza crusts.
Spray your pizza pan with Pam spray and sprinkle with cornmeal as this will crisp up your crust.
Add your favorite toppings and bake for 15 minutes. Bake at 475*
