BE A LIGHTHOUSE

As I reflected last week, I sometimes wake up and rehearse what I haven't accomplished and what I'm not. I'm not famous for anything. I was average in school, an average paralegal, an average mom, an average wife. I asked God to show me what I am in His eyes.

"You are a lighthouse of my love," He spoke to my heart.

I am? I never thought about it like that. My job is not to stand on a stage in the spotlight or run around with a flashlight shining light in dark corners. I am to stand and be a portal for His love light. Light on the Fed Ex driver who blocks in my car. Light on the checker who doesn't help me manage a huge box in and out of my cart.  Light on the driver who cuts me off in traffic. Light on the three-year-old throwing a temper tantrum.

With an extra measure of His grace, I can do that.

"The Light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it." John 1:5HCSB

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give gory to your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16 HCSB

Practically what does that look like? Mother Teresa said it like this.

"LET NO ONE EVER COME TO YOU

WITHOUT LEAVING BETTER AND HAPPIER.

BE THE LIVING EXPRESSION OF GOD'S KINDNESS.

 KINDNESS IN YOUR FACE.

 KINDNESS IN YOUR EYES. 

KINDNESS IN YOUR SMILE." 

Go forth and shine!

Encourage My Heart

Three of my six grandchildren

I am so sad. This move has been hard. My new community is beautiful and the people are friendly, but  I miss my friends. I miss my children and grandchildren. When I wake up in the morning I measure my value by what I have not accomplished. I haven't hung family pictures upstairs. I haven't thrown away containers which arrived with no lids. I haven't given the dogs their medicine. I haven't....  Instead of creating a productive "To Do" list, I rehearse my failings.

I'm overwhelmed. I don't want to get up. I pray, "Lord encourage my heart.  I've done everything I know how to do. I've slept, taken my medicine and exercised, but I don't feel better."

The dogs force me to get up and take care of their physical needs. I pad to the kitchen and turn on the coffee pot. A hummingbird flies outside the kitchen window to sip nectar from a purple flower.

I can't help but smile at the unexpected gift. Thank you, Lord.

Coffee in hand I let the dogs in and settle myself in my chair for some quiet time. My old dog, Bella contemplates me. She can no longer jump into my lap, so I pick her up and settle her beside me. Molly, my young chihuahua, jumps up to settle in on the other side. Abby, the cocker spaniel usually lays down beside my chair, instead she jumped into my lap and sniffed my face as if to ask,  "Are you okay?' I can't help but laugh. Yes. Yes, I'm going to be okay. The Lord has encouraged my heart in unexpected ways. He has sent fur angels to sit with me and love me unconditionally.He hears my prayer.

Bella, age 14

Molly, age 2

Abby claims my lap.

These are the verses in my devotional.

• Psalms 55:17 "I complain and groan morning, noon, and night, and He hears my voice."
• Psalms 32: 7 "You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble."
• Psalms 62: 8 "Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge."

for He is the God Who Sees me. (Genesis 16:13).

If you battle depression as I do call to Him. He sees you too.

Low-Fat Tomato Basil Soup

I love Tomato Basil Soup from a French Bistro. I love it, but it is not conducive to my never-ending efforts to minimize my middle-aged figure.  It is loaded with cream and butter. I have a created a soup that mirrors the flavor without added fat. I clean out the vegetable drawer and use up everything that needs to be recycled into my tummy. It's a great way to sneak in extra veggies and fiber to an unsuspecting husband or child. Get out your stew pot and I'll show you how it's done.

Tomato Basil Soup

In a tablespoon of olive oil saute:

1 cup chopped onions
1 cup of shredded carrots
Add:

2/3 cup minced fresh basil

1 head of chopped cauliflower

2 cans (28 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 Tablespoons of Better Than Bouillon (in the soup aisle)
1 cup of water
Simmer for 20 minutes until veggies are tender.

Add:

8 oz. pkg low-fat or fat-free
cream cheese

Puree with stick
blender until smooth.

Add:
2 cups 1% low-fat milk or fat-free Half-n-Half
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Ladle into bowls. Garnish with basil and serve with bread.
*I like to toast slices of french bread, place one in the bottom of the bowl. Pour the soup over. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!

It tastes better the next day after the flavors have had a chance to blend.  I save my canning jars, put the soup in while warm and store in the refrigerator.  It also freezes well.

This week I took soup to a friend who had surgery and another friend with a newborn. The addition of a pre-packaged salad, fresh fruit, and a loaf of homemade bread made a pretty good spread.
Easy, peasy!