Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine.

-Robert C. Gallagher

This quote makes me smile.

Not all change makes me smile.  In fact, the recent loss of a loved one, a shift in my career goals and having to deliver disappointing news to my children, brought me to tears.

Undesirable changes force me to reflect on just how tightly I hold on to my relationships, my possessions and my plans.  The funny thing is, they aren’t mine, they are HIS.

The joy and pain of this earthly life is temporary and exists to grow our Christian character in preparation to meet our Heavenly Father in our eternal home.

So rather than view these changes with disappointment and fear I will choose to  meet them with gratitude and assurance. Knowing that…

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7

His GEM Adorable Frog Short-All.  My heart leaps for joy…Psalm 28:7

CLICK HERE

…to download, print and then frame.

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22

I love strawberry season. The fruit is extra sweet and delicious during this time of year.

As a mom with a home based business, summertime is a season when the fruits of patience, self-control and faithfulness are especially challenging for me. My patience because I have three sweet girls tugging for my time and attention.  Self-control because I would rather have fun in the sun with them than work, and faithfulness because retail business is slow during these months and I must depend on Gods promise to provide.

In every season, the Holy Spirit equips me to bear fruit that is sweet and productive instead of tasteless and ineffective.

After all, God has promised that the eternal outcome of all our seasons will be good and much sweeter than strawberry pie.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

STRAWBERRY PIE

Crust:

1 ½ cups flour

½ cup canola oil

½ t salt

2 T milk

1 ½ T sugar

Mix with a fork and press into 9″ pie pan.

Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

1 to 1 1/2 lbs strawberries

When crust is cool, place washed hulled berries into crust arranging them the way you like.

Filling:

1 cup sugar

1 ½ cups water

3 T cornstarch

Cook in saucepan until thick.  Then add:

3 oz pkg of strawberry jello.

Stir well.  Let stand a few minutes. First I spoon filling over each berry to coat it, then carefully pour the filling into the pie until full to fill between the berries. Chill in refrigerator until set.  Serve with whipped cream.