O Lord, some estimate You designed millions of different kinds of flowers growing on our planet. Whoa, how did You think up such diversity? Though I suppose that shouldn’t surprise me — because OMG, You’ve custom-designed every single one of billions of people.
O Lord, You know that when Mommy and Daddy Robin built their stringy, precarious nest on our garage light, this grandma ached to give them advice. Daddy, find a better site. Find a new architect. Mommy, keep your feet up so they don’t swell. No heavy lifting!
OMG, maybe those young parents didn’t need my input?
O Lord, You know that when our daughters married I tucked my sweet-and-sour recipe into their new recipe boxes. Recently, a mom on Facebook recognized I’d given it to her as a bride, too, and her kids love it. OMG, I’m learning: meatballs aren’t a profound theological contribution to others’ lives, but little goodnesses can make a difference.
*Sweet-and-Sour Sauce for Chicken, Pork, or Meatballs
When using 1½ lbs. chicken or pork, I cook the chopped meat with one sliced onion in oil. Set aside.
When using meatballs, mix:
Form meatballs and cook in oil in skillet. Set aside.
Sweet and Sour Sauce:
Mix dry ingredients, then add reserved juice, vinegar, and soy sauce. Cook in skillet over medium heat, stirring until mixture thickens. Add pineapple.
To sweet-and-sour chicken or pork, I add 1 tart apple, sliced, and stir until crisp-tender. 1/3 c. bell pepper (green, red, etc.), chopped, can also be added to any of the recipes.
Add meat and stir until heated through. Serve over rice. Serves 4-6, depending on whether your household includes big eaters. Enjoy!
*Based on Waikiki Meatballs Recipe, Betty Crocker’s Cookbook, 1975
O Lord, Mama Robin must have flunked Nest-building 101. But OMG, I’ve flunked a few aspects of motherhood, too. Despite less-than-perfect efforts, may our children grow strong and soar in Your heavens!
O Lord, I thank You that our governor has opened possible ways for Your people to worship in person — though I, past 65, have been strongly advised to stay home. Sigh. OMG, I suppose that lying about my age to go to church isn’t a good idea?
O Lord, given the personality differences during this quarantine, I imagine a large number of your children have to repent daily. But OMG, would it be so bad if I, um, interrupted Hubby’s Zoom college class only once?
O Lord, thank You for brain cells — though they seem to have vanished from our household lately. You know that in our absentmindedness contest, Hubby and I are neck and neck. But OMG, having placed the coffee pot on the Keurig, I think I have the coffee pods’ vote.
OMG, please make me like my daffodil — determined to bloom and brighten, no matter what crazy winds blow!
Lord, Thank You for the ingenuity that created Skype, Zoom, and other programs so we can connect with family and friends. With classes, churches, and businesses. Yet, in future post-quarantine days, OMG, what will we do when we’re done talking and click accordingly — but those people refuse to go away?
Oh, Lord, thank You for the energy and focus to finish book number 24. Couldn’t go out to celebrate, though. What to do? Instead, Steve and I watched the Cubs’ 2016 World Series victory and snarfed take-out sundaes from Ivanhoe’s. OMG, thank You that despite the current crisis, we have a gazillion reasons to celebrate!
