Rich in the Things that Matter

Beloved:

I love working at home in the mornings.  The washer, dryer and crock pot are loaded and I’ve been folding laundry since 7:30. Carl is traveling and the kids are out the door to their respective internships and jobs.  All three dogs are asleep at my feet, exhausted as soccer players after practice.  I feel so rich ~ in the things that matter and the things that don’t.  

How did I inherit such wealth?  Carl likes to say we are reaping the harvest of generations of Chism family prayers.  Chisms are his mother’s people; canners, farmers and entrepreneurs by trade.  Not of one of them with two dimes to rub together at any given time.  Poor in all things that don’t matter and rich in all the things that do; love, faith, and family.  And food of course, which is my third favorite part of life this summer after time with Carl and the constant stream of baby-adult-kids moving through my kitchen.

I cook a big supper almost every day.  Last night was pulled pork, squash casserole, cole slaw, green beans, sliced tomatoes and watermelon.  Except for the watermelon all the produce came from farmer’s market.  The kids ate and ate.  Just watching them I felt like the richest person on the planet, asking myself again, “Why me?  Why do I get this?” Then trying to be more grateful than curious.  

Tonight will be a big pan of baked beef burritos with guacamole, chips, leftover slaw and another melon.  We eat around 6:30 if you’d like to join us.  

~ peace & prayers, pastor annette

Did you know we have a collection of favorite recipes here on the UBC website? Click here for the recipe for Squash Casserole!