I can’t believe I’m going to talk about food after we’ve all probably stuffed ourselves with a good Thanksgiving meal and all the leftovers … but I am. I do like a good turkey meal but my favorite days are the days following, with leftovers made into good soup.

As I write this it’s snowing outside — and cold and windy — but I’m inside by the fire. Yes, Scott makes a fire in the hearth each and every morning. It’s now slowing dying and I’m watching the embers and listening to the crackles of the last of the fire. I’m beginning to think about dinner and how good a bowl of hot soup would be. I love to make it in the morning so I can smell it simmering all day.

The making of the soup: I used to use a food processor to chop the onions, carrots, and celery. Now I’ve found I like to do this by hand. I love the process of dicing each vegetable and wondering where it was grown and marveling at how God has allowed us to have fresh vegetables all year long. I’m using the gifts God gave me to make this soup: a mother who taught me to cook, the ingredients themselves — a miracle of growth, the ability to purchase the ingredients, and the gas to boil the broth — all of these gifts and so many more for one meal.

The aroma and anticipation: The aromas start when the onions hit the hot oil and they continue to grow in intensity and complexity as more ingredients are added. Scott is out plowing snow and I know his first remark when he walks through the door will be, “Wow, it smells good in here!” God knows I’m not a very patient person and He knows I’ll sample the broth throughout the day but I think He’ll understand as He knows how much I appreciate these additional gifts. Do you ever marvel at how our Lord just keeps on giving?

The taste and fulfillment: And finally we dish up a healthy helping of soup and enjoy the fruits of my labor. Before the first bite, we are privileged to invite our Lord to join us: Come Lord Jesus, be our guest and let these gifts to us be blessed. Amen. As we enjoy our soup, my prayer is that each of you find joy and comfort in every gift God has given us. 

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie