I’d have to say that Valentine’s Day has always been a favorite holiday of mine.  From the time I was a little girl cutting out those folded pieces of paper that magically turned into symmetrical hearts, I’ve been head over heels in love with the day itself!  What’s not to love about chocolate, conversation hearts, flowers, lacey paper doileys, and heart-shaped food from cookies to pancakes? 

Okay, I hear a single gal lamenting that this day is a little over the top, and she feels excluded. I hear the wife that’s sighing and recounting that her husband hasn’t remember this day in forever. I’m truly sorry.    Perhaps we need to Refresh our hearts about this Love-filled holiday.

Whether we’re married, dating or single, Valentine’s Day is about expressing our love for someone else.  This will require each of us to lower our expectations of the day and do unto others.  If we approach February the 14th about with what we’re going to get out of it, we are setting ourselves up for disaster, disappointment and, if you’re married,  potential divorce!  Seriously, if we expect roses, chocolates and sweet sentiment written in red accompanied by boxes of our favorite chocolates  in heart-shaped boxes, we are sure to be disappointed.  Let’s each give our Valentine’s expectation a little overhaul and start thinking ahead of the person(s) to whom we could show love, rather than dwelling on the one from whom we better receive it. 

Start with your family, then think outside the box. 

• Love on your husband.  List why you love him – on paper, the bathroom mirror, or a special card .  Get his favorite candy, or make him his favorite dessert.  Buy him a new CD.  Print off a picture that encapsulates a special memory for you both.  Plan a special date – at home (dinner and/ordessert in your bedroom after the kids are in bed) or away.  Hide Valentine notes for him in special places – the car, his computer, his wallet, the shower…
• Love on your kids.  Heart-shaped foods – pancakes, sandwiches, cookies, brownies, etc. are always fun!  One year I made paper hearts that made a trail that led from the girls’ bedrooms to a special treat. 
• Remember a senior citizen whose mate has passed away.  This can be a lonely time for them.  Buy flowers or send a card telling them why you and your family cares for them.
• Send a note to a single young adult woman.  Young adult women are often hurting because they’re waiting for the Lord to bring in “Mr. Right.”  Waiting for can be very frustrating. Single women who have experienced divorce are also hurting people that need care from others.   Send a card, reminding them that they are valuable to you.  Don’t preach to them about their situation; just express your love.  A small gift would also be a thoughtful gesture.

If you pray about showing love to others, and then get caught up in what you could do, it will lessen your own pain, if you should feel neglected.  Remember yesterday’s quote?  It fits. Even on Valentine’s Day.  Very much.

Be refreshed,

With tear-filled eyes,

As I have been reading through the Gospels I have been struck with how many times Jesus reaches out and touches people.  Just yesterday I read in Luke 13:11-13  And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Jesus’ ministry was about touching people’s lives, and many times He did that by touching them with His hands.  He was so personal, compassionate and close.  Is He different today?  Now that He is in heaven, does He no longer touch us?  Well, of course, He doesn’t literally put His hands on us, but He uses other means to touch us.  Consider:

Sometimes He uses a compassionate person to be His hands.  They lay a hand on our shoulder when we’re burdened.  They lay their hand over our hand as they pray for us.

Another “touch” from the Lord would be a verse that “jumps off the Bible’s page” when we’re reading.  It ministers to our heart’s need at that moment.  It calms us, gives peace or understanding for what lies ahead.  That verse didn’t “just happen” to be in our Bible reading schedule – it was planned by a compassionate Savior!

David played music for King Saul and it ministered to his heart.  Music is a sweet tool of God’s touch.  The right kind of music can remind us of the God’s promises in God’s Word, or soften our heart towards worship when we’d normally lean towards worry.

Answered prayer is a reminder that God is not only hearing us when we pray, but that he loves us, as our Heavenly Father.

The Lord’s work in our lives is real indeed; we just need to be looking for it, and recognize that it’s not coincidence, but a touch of love from our Father.

Who needs your compassion today?  There is probably at least one person whom you will meet today that needs to be reminded of Christ’s love, and He could use your hands to reveal that to them. 

Have you been the recipient of Christ’s touch recently?  How was it demonstrated to you?

With love,

Cozy lamp lights are brightening the corners of the counters.  Canisters of flour, sugar, tea and coffees stand at attention, some of their lidded hats cock-eyed from recent use.  The pantry has shelves as heavy as tree branches after a wet winter snow laden with spices, canned goods, pastas and breads.  Eggs, cheeses, jams, butter and creamy milks are chilling in the refrigerator.  This kitchen  is the hub of family life.   You see, cooking is more than just getting food ready for a meal.  It not only sustains life, it is life.  It turns a homecoming, a birthday, a guest’s invitation into an event.  Cooking is making enticing aromas waft upwards, drawing the occupants of your home to the real living room ~ the kitchen.  This is the room where life really happens in a family. 

It’s my desire to create that kind of atmosphere for those that are in my home, whether they’re family or  guests passing through.  Good food draws people in.  The reason I started What’s Cooking in the Parsonage was inspire other cooks to prepare good meals for their families ~ and to invite you into my  home to see and enjoy with us~not just the meals that we share, but also the events that take place around our little oak table. 

One such event was my husband’s recent homecoming.  He had the privilege of attending a Prayer Advance last Thursday through Saturday.  I missed him terribly (It was only 3 days, I know…I’m pathetic), but it sure made me happy to have him return home!  He got here in time for supper~perfect timing!  I set the table with candlelight, using a beautiful chandelier he bought for me for Valentine’s Day a couple years ago.  I tried a new recipe from Southern Plate – a great food blog!  I made her Mexican Chicken Casserole,

 and another new recipe ~ Pineapple Upside-down Cake for two from my Taste of Home Healthy Cooking Magazine.  The dessert was a reduced calorie cake that was as delicious as any “regular” recipe.  They are made in individual ramekins and turned out so cute!  I will definitely be making these again!

Pineapple Upside-down Cake for Two

4 tsp, butter, melted, divided
4 tsp. brown sugar
2 canned unsweetened pineapple slices
2 maraschino cherries
1/3 Cup all-purpose flour
3 Tbl sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
Dash ground nutmeg
3 Tbl fat-free milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1.  Pour 1/2 tsp butter into each of two 10-oz ramekins coated with cooking spray.  Sprinkle with brown sugar.  Top with a pineapple slice.  Place a cherry in the center of each pineapple slice; set aside.
2.  In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.  Beat in the milk, vanilla and remaining butter just until combined.  Spoon over pineapple.
3.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes.  Run a knife around edges of ramekins; invert onto dessert plates.  Serve warm.

I believe my hubby was pretty happy about the meal event I created for his return.  Ooooh, a thought just struck me~would he go away again just so I’ll create another special meal?  I can fix that ~ tomorrow we’ll create a special day!  Let’s see, it’s Tuesday…  How about a meal that has food served in pairs…you know ~Two’s-Day! =) 

What have you been cooking?  Any normal events turned into something special at your place?  I’d love to hear about how you celebrated!

From my parsonage kitchen,