Valentine’s Day begs for a special treat! Since the 14th is just days away, I wanted to share a simple treat that is served up in individual portions. Years ago I made a delicious treat – Salted Caramel Cheesecakes from The Rustic Willow Food blog. These were so delicious and what could be more “Valentines-y” than Cheesecake wrapped in a red wrapper?!
I tweaked the recipe a little, but it’s great which ever way you do it! You can’t go wrong with cheesecake, caramel and chocolate, right? I like this miniature version, because it’s not as intimidating to make as a whole cheesecake that can crack down the middle. These are pretty much fool proof.
One day a dear older man and his wife (I’ll refer to them as Mr. and Mrs. C) from our church stopped in for a short visit. I loved it when they would stop by. They didn’t call. They didn’t announce ahead of time, they just took the risk and drove out to the country, stopped in and rang the bell to see if we were home.
On their stop that day, Mr. C. was seated only momentarily before a twinkle came to his eye and he proceeded to attempt to get up off the sofa.
“I’ll be right back” he said, with his finger extended to make his point.
“I have to go get something.”
He slowly made his way back out to his car, assisted by his cane. Returning minutes later, he walked towards where I was seated and presented me with a little box of chocolates. “Here’s you some chocolate!” he said with a chuckle. I was blown away. This man who had difficulty just making it into the living room in the first place due to the effects of his age, made a special trip back out to his vehicle to retrieve this treasure box for me? I was so touched!
I was not surprised at his kindness; he was known for that – not just by me, but by many others as well. Many times I’ve seen him reach his hand into his suit coat at church, like a magician reaching in to retrieve a rabbit out of a hat, and coming out with a sweet treat to share. This is a special kind of “magic.” It’s the magic of a giving heart.
Who doesn’t love to get a little gift? Proverbs 3:27 is a reminder to me to give. It says,
“Withhold not good to them to whom it is due
when it is in the power thy hand to do it.”
Proverbs 3:27
That verse is a little push to be like Mr. C, who was always looking for ways to share the things he has the power to give. We can all do something for someone else. It’s just about asking the Lord to make us aware of what we could give. I’ve noticed by watching giving people that being a generous person makes your heart large. Mr. C. was just a loving man; so was his wife. I know others who are always on the lookout to do thoughtful gestures, and they, too, have that spirit that just makes you enjoy their company – not because of what they give, but because of their large heart!
If we’re going to be like Mr. C, We need to:
Ask God for wisdom and the heart to be a giver.
Think about who we’re going to be with today.
Prayerfully think about what their needs might be – or just a grace gift you could share.
Obey whatever the Lord brings to your heart!
Need a few suggestions to get you thinking?
You might be the lady who always has a peppermint or chewing gum in your purse to share.
Did you get special Buy one Get One Free offers at the grocery? Share the extra one!
Hand over the magazines or books you’ve read to someone you think would enjoy them.
Keep wrapped candies – Kisses, Werther’s /caramels, Smarties, miniature candy bars, etc. at your front door to give your guests.
May people remember us as folks who have large, giving hearts! A little gift says big things!
What special gift has someone given you that touched your heart?
Refresh your heart and the hearts of others by giving!
I will never forget the anxious moments of waiting. I was a soon-to-be post college student seeking God’s will for my future. My name had been given to a pastor (Cunningham) who was looking for a secretary for the Christian school at his church, and I was waiting for my appointment with him where I would be interviewed for the position.
I arrived promptly at our set time, climbed the stairs to the Student center, and from a distance, peeked into doorway of the interview office . I saw a man talking with a student. Immediately, I assumed that he was the man I was waiting for. I seated myself on a sofa outside the office, in a place where I would be easily seen when he exited the interview office. Then I waited…and I waited.
In the Old days women made amazing Sunday dinners that included yummy fixings like Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes and white, cream gravy. But also in the old days, everyone had to wait until 2:00 to eat dinner! Most of us are starving when we get home from church, and if dinner isn’t on the table in thirty minutes, people at my house start snacking!
Lucky for me, years ago I found a recipe from Carnation Evaporated Milk that is called, Baked Chicken that Makes it own Gravy! No need to stand and fry chicken pieces after church – this dish is baked in the oven, topped with a Cream soup mixture and baked a little longer, yielding a lovely creamy gravy – perfect for those mashed potatoes that were cooked in the crock pot!
After a two-day trip away, my husband returned home. It was a snowy, wet night, and because the garage was full with two cars inside – mine and our daughter’s, he parked in the slushy driveway and stepped inside. His shoes dripped with the remains of the winter weather, so he stepped across the hardwood floor onto the dining room rug…the “pretty” rug meant for covering the floor, but not necessarily for wiping wet feet. I inwardly cringed, then asked,
RefreshHer 