For the month of November, I thought it would be nice to write about being thankful. This is a scary world we are living in, and if we dwell on the hate and cruelty of this world, it could really get you down. We need to focus on things we should be thankful for. From the big things right down to the little things! This life isn’t a long one, and time is going too fast. We need to stop and take it all in. I’m not one to “stop and smell the roses,” but I’ll stop dead for a gorgeous sunset or a field full of wildflowers. Maybe I need to take the time to stop and smell the roses, though. Obviously, there’s something to that saying.
I have to start the thankfulness train with my Lord. If I didn’t have him every day in my life, I know one hundred percent that I would not be the person I am today. I’m so grateful to my momma, who took my brother and me to church religiously each Sunday. I’ve recently been praying to let him help me be a testimony to others. To live life like he would want me to. Folks, this isn’t easy because we were all born sinners. It’s in us to sin, but that’s why Jesus died for us. So he could wash all the sin away! Yea, I say “sh*t” too much. I can be unkind to someone who just purposely cut me off on the highway. I can take a hard day out on the ones I love. I can do things that are unpleasing to God, but if I pray about wanting to be more like him, he will listen. He will ALWAYS listen. He knows our thoughts and struggles before we even tell him.
This morning before church, I had a heavy heart. I had a weird dream that night and just woke up feeling meh. Isn’t it crazy how just a dream or thought can change our entire mood? I instantly started singing my favorite song in my head, lying in bed before I started my day.
“Then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee. How great thou art, How great thou art.” I felt an instant peace come over me. God often tells me, “Andrea, I got this.” As a family that morning, the four of us went to church. Pastor said for the first hymn to please rise and open our hymns to page 34. “How Great Thou Art.” I turned to my husband and said, “God did this for me!! I was just singing out to him this morning, and this was the song!” It was the craziest thing. If you listen, he talks to you. It may not be when you want him to, but he will. Some folks say, “Well, God doesn’t listen to me. I pray, and he doesn’t answer.” Yes, he did. Did you ask to get the job that you just interviewed for and didn’t get it? This obviously wasn’t the path he wanted for you, and he did answer, just not what YOU wanted it to be. Listen, there are things I pray for that don’t happen, or God seems silent. Is it easy? No. Just keep praying on it, or know that it was not in God’s plans. Did you ever hear the saying, God laughs when you make plans? Yea. Do you know why that is? Because God has everything planned from beginning to end, no matter what we think we have planned for ourselves. He has a purpose for everything. Everything you do and the people you meet all have a purpose. You may not know why, but it does.
Speak to me, Lord; your servant is listening.
I heard this on a podcast I’m listening to and thought it was so powerful!
Guys, he talks to us; we just have to be patient and listen. Think of a baby who is born and can’t hear. Have you seen the videos online of these babies getting hearing aids for the first time? They hear their mommy say, “Hi, baby! It’s momma.” And the child’s eyes get so bright with joy in hearing their mother’s voice for the first time in their whole life! It’s the sweetest thing. This is like God telling us, “I love you,” but you can’t hear it! Folks, Jesus loves you so much! He wants you to hear him say things like I LOVE YOU or MY CHILD, I GOT THIS. Leave your burdens at the cross and leave them there. We don’t know why certain things happen in our lives, but we have to trust that it was in God’s plan. It’s that plan and simple. Just because we have God in our lives doesn’t mean we will never feel pain again. Without pain, though, how can we appreciate the joy? Bad days make us appreciate the good ones! But, if you know on bad days that God is with you, it makes that bad day a little easier. God just doesn’t want to be there on the bad days, though. He wants to celebrate the joys in your lives, too! Don’t just pray to God. PRAY to God. Give him thanks and praise!
I also want to add quickly: go to the movie theaters and watch the movie After Death. If you can’t afford a ticket, you can go see it for free. The movie is incredible and so powerful. Everyone should see it, that’s why you can get a free ticket!! I’ll share the link with you, https://www.angel.com/blog/after-death/posts/how-to-redeem-free-tickets-to-after-death, or just search at https://www.angel.com.
Please go watch it. It’s life-changing!!
Lord, I thank you for this beautiful life you have given me. I thank you for the wonderful people who read my column and pray I can reach people who are hurting and let them know you can help ease their pain. I pray they can feel your presence and joy that you give me in my life. It’s a wonderful life, Lord, and I thank you so much for being it.
Chicken & Gnocchi Soup
I’m thankful for hot soups on a cold fall rainy day!
Ingredients:
• 4 Tbsp. butter
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• Salt & pepper
• 2 cloves of garlic, pressed
• 3 Tbsp. flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 12 ounces of gnocchi (16 ounce wouldn’t hurt either)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 3/4 cup frozen peas
Directions:
Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, melt butter in pan. Then add all the veggies, stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes or until the veggies are tender. Add garlic, cook another minute. Sprinkle flour over the veggies. Stir well, then slowly add the chicken broth. When nice and smooth, add milk. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally, then add gnocchi. Turn heat down to simmer, then stir frequently for 5-6 minutes until gnocchi is tender. Stir in chicken and peas and add more salt and pepper as needed.
Ladle into bowls, and serve.
