Just Us Two

My supervisor was aware that I was searching for a safe budget friendly place to call home and highly recommended Mrs. Robertson. From the outside we appeared to be an unlikely pair. I was fresh out of college in a new city. She was a spunky almost eighty year old that knew the area like the back of her hand.

Our age difference could have been the great divide that separated us but, it didn’t. Mrs. Robertson was surprisingly young at heart and I was sort of an old soul. We were a great match. And, it didn’t hurt that she was a fabulous cook and had completely missed her calling as a comedian. she cracked me up

Just about every evening when I came home from work, Mrs. Robertson had already whipped up some deliciousness for dinner. One day she made meatloaf. Now, I’ve had an on going love affair with food ....yes my Frank knows about it .... however, meatloaf and I never hit it off. But when I tasted Mrs. Robertson meatloaf patties, I was sold at first bite. For over a year, we shared, ate, laughed and did life together....just us two.

At least once a month when I'm mixing up the dish for dinner, I smile. I’m reminded that the Lord prompted Mrs. Robertson to not only open her home but, her heart. He caused our paths to do more than cross, they connected and intertwined. God gave me a friend that I would have never sought out at just the right time. Has God given you any sweet surprises lately? I would love for you to share.

I’ve provided the meat loaf patty recipe below. You'll notice that some of the measurements are not precise. That’s because Mrs. Robertson would add a little here and there until it was just right.

Feel free to leave a recipe in the comments that reminds you of a family member or friend that has a special place in your heart.

---

Mrs. Robertson's Meatloaf Patties

Ground Beef (or Ground Turkey)

*Onions

*Celery

*Green Peppers

1 cup of Oatmeal

Ketchup

1 8oz Can of Tomatoes

1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

2 tsp Salt

*Optional

Mix all of the ingredients and form patties. Place in an oven safe dish, cover and cook at 350 degrees for 30 - 35 minutes. Leave uncovered for an additional 5- 10 minutes or until brown. Done!

Let's eat!

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

Lean a Little More

Photo credit Ruth D. VanLowe Smith

The curves and roundabouts (British term for traffic circles) seemed endless. All throughout the day we were led from one beauty to the next. Bermuda proved to be amazingly breathtaking. By far, it was more than I imagined. The flowers, the beaches, the turquoise water and the hospitality it surpasses Southern Hospitality, if you can imagine that were just the right combination for a spectacular vacation.

Frank and I had only been married 4 years and it was our first trip out of the country as a couple. Of course, we were the typical tourists....taking in the island on scooters. It was the perfect way to sightsee. But since my scooter skills were not up to par that's putting it lightly, Frank was the designated driver. He braved driving on the left side of the roads for the most part with ease. But those roundabouts posed a problem. Once we came out of the turn, Frank would make his way to the right side of the road ... which would have been fine if we were in the States. But, we were actually supposed to be on the left side. All the while, I was being quite the back seat driver, saying, "Left!" in a not so calm voice. If that wasn't enough, there was the issue of making the curves. As we went into the curves, the back wheel sort of struggled and when it did, Frank would encourage me to lean a little more. It never failed, when I leaned with the same intensity as he did, we zoomed around the island with zero problems. While we were having the time of our lives....the Lord was teaching me lessons on marriage that I've never forgotten and want to share with you. So here you go!

---

Life is full of curves, problems, situations and tragedies, so travel through them together. Let's face it. You can love God, be filled with the Spirit...don't smoke or chew or hang with those that do and still have trouble. None of us are exempt. The scripture reminds us in John 16:33 that we will have trouble. But, in the same passage, Jesus offers us some good news, "I have over come the world." Think about it, if Jesus has already overcome and He lives in you ... that makes you an overcomer. So, instead of allowing situations to drive you apart, cling to God and each other. You'll reach the straight away if you keep moving forward.

Lean with the same intensity. Now, that doesn't mean that you always agree. I mean...who does that?! But, you can make the commitment to find common ground as long as it's not sin but, you already knew that and once you do, give it your all. Take a few moments and mediate on Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people." - Good News Translation

Did you hear that? You are working and serving the Lord, not just your husband. Taking this scripture to heart really gives you a healthy perspective on your marriage.

God uses curves to lead us to beautiful places. It might not look like it but, God is weaving something wonderful in your life. In Psalm 119:71, David said that it was good that he had been afflicted. Now, I don't know about you but, I wouldn't call running from a King that was trying to kill me good. But, what came out of it was good. - 2 Samuel 5:4

Do you feel like your life, your marriage, or your career is in a major curve? Whatever your circumstances are right now, God knows. Really he does! And he will be faithful to work it out for your good. So, trust God in the curves and lean a little more.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra

The Peace Circle

It was something that happened in a moment that changed her. And it changed everything else. My Mom had a stroke. A STROKE. She went from being extremely active and independent to not being able to touch her nose, feed herself or sit up on her own.

Her stroke pushed me past my limits. I was forced to switch roles without a warning. I didn't get the opportunity to weigh in on the situation. My right to choose was revoked. I instantly became her advocate, her defender and it was hard...really hard. Did I mention that it was hard? I can't even begin to imagine how she felt.

Nausea and a severe case of vertigo were symptoms of the stroke. She constantly felt like she was spinning and falling. She was spinning....and so was I. Lord please make it stop

Prior to the "moment", my devotion was sweet and intimate. I was surrounded by God's presence. He was well aware that I would need what He was depositing in my storehouse. He knew that in the coming days our time would be almost be nonexistent. Those times with the Lord prevented me from completely falling apart. But fear, anxiety, worry, frustration, mental and physical exhaustion this is not a good combination crept in. I felt every emotion except for peace.

And then, after several days, the Lord called me into His counsel. He lifted the heaviness of it all so that I could focus on Him. Of course, I wanted to talk about what was going on, you know the elephant in the room. But no. His words were, "You've moved outside of my peace circle." heavy sigh Don't you just love it when you're waiting and needing to hear from God about one thing and He has a completely different agenda? respectful side eye

It wasn't what I expected or wanted to hear, but it was true.

Somehow I arrived at the notion that my Mom's health and recovery was solely my responsibility. I was doing things in my own strength and sinking under the weight. How had I ignored 1 Peter 5:7? I was supposed to cast not carry. God had sweetly enveloped me with His presence and peace months before but, I stepped outside of his circle. Take it from me, you don't want to go outside of his covering. it’s crazy out there

---

Desperate to get back to a place of safety, I repented for not allowing the Lord to reign over my life and circumstances. I tried to make my own way so, that was on the list along with a whole lot of other unspiritual things. Lord have mercy

Then, I started reminding myself of who God really is. Not some small wimpy being but, a BIG God that can do...."far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." - Ephesians 3:20 TLB. Chew on that for a moment. It's delicious right? And then, I resumed my position of worship and gradually water started flowing in my desert.

What’s your "moment"? Have you lost your job or received a bad report from the doctor? Are you experiencing a broken relationship, caring for an aging parent or just downright overwhelmed with life? Whatever it is, I'm praying that God will hold you close and give you his peace while he does what seems impossible.

Remember there's a seat reserved in the Peace Circle just for you. I pray that you will join me there.

Your Sister Friend,

Sandra