‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Then God said, I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food. And it was so.

Are you still full from Thanksgiving? Yesterday I encouraged us not to take for granted all the good things our land provides. Today I want us to really stop and think about how God created the Earth, the plants, and animals for us to enjoy. Do you ever feel like you waste food? I always feel guilty when I have to throw away food that has spoiled. I encourage us all to find ways to not waste food this week. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the Earth, plants, and animals you have provided for us to enjoy. Help me to be mindful of the food I have in my home. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Do you have some favorite dishes you like to make with Thanksgiving leftovers? My Dad was the king of revamping leftovers. A few of my favorites:

• Turkey, cranberry, stuffing sandwich.
• Turkey and veggie pot pie.
• Turkey, carrot, egg white noodle soup.

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭8‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

Happy Thanksgiving! Today is a day to be abundantly satisfied, yet there are many blessings we tend to take for granted. Whether we are preparing food or being served, let’s not forget to praise our God for all the riches our land has to offer. Let’s not forget the times we have been in the wilderness or times we may not have been as fortunate. Let’s remember those who are suffering, going through a hard time, or not as fortunate as us.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the opportunity to serve and be served. Thank You for all the riches of the land You have created for us to enjoy and be satisfied. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Do you have a recipe that requires a specific ingredient that no substitute can replace? 

Granny’s Stuffing

• 1 Package of Pepperidge Farm Cornbread classic stuffing
• 2 Cooked chicken breasts shredded 
• Use the chicken broth from chicken breasts. Approximately 2 cups.
• ½ to 1 Stick of butter

Instructions: Cook chicken as directed. Shred chicken. Mix stuffing, chicken, and broth in a casserole dish. Slice butter and place on top of the casserole. Cover and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

On Thanksgiving are you cooking, hosting, or dining somewhere outside your home? Either way, it tends to be a busy season. We spend a lot of time cleaning, preparing, cooking, serving, and cleaning again. Often we forget the assignment to enjoy the moment.

Take a moment to read Luke 10:38-42 NIV on the story of Mary and Martha. In this story, Martha was the one hosting, while Mary chose to enjoy the moment of Jesus’ presence. I want us to keep this story in mind as we are sitting at Jesus’ feet this week. Let’s warm Jesus’ heart by sitting, fellowshipping, and being intentional with the time we have with our family and friends. We can have balance and be both a Martha and a Mary. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the invitation to daily sit at Your feet. Help me to have a healthy balance this week of preparing and sitting. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

What is a unique menu item on your Thanksgiving table?

Granny’s Hamburger Balls

• 4 lbs Hamburger meat.
• 2 Packs dry Lipton onion soup mix.
• 1 Medium onion chopped fine.
• 3 McCormick homestyle brown gravy mix packets.

Instructions: Mix hamburger meat and onion soup mix with your hands. Roll into small balls. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes. Follow the instructions on the gravy mix packet. Layer hamburger balls, onion, and gravy. For the stovetop, cook on medium to high heat for 1 hour. For the crockpot, cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.

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Let’s start off with a prayer that our Heavenly Father taught us in Matthew 6:9-13 NIV.

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us today our Daily Bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Maybe this season has been stressful. Did you know that desserts spelled backward is stressed? Maybe that is why stress eating is really a thing. Take a moment to read the prayer again. How do you feel now that you prayed that prayer? Today let’s be mindful of our thoughts and how we handle them. If you find yourself stressed, remember that God is the source of your strength. 

What is a dessert that everyone at your table enjoys?

Granny’s Tea Cakes

• 2 sticks butter softened
• 3 cups self-rising flour sifted
• 1 cup powdered milk
• 3 cups sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions: Sift flour and powdered milk together and mix in sugar. Crack one egg at a time on a plate. Remove the chalazae which is the strand of membranes that attach the yolk to the shell. In a separate bowl, hand-mix softened butter, eggs, and vanilla together. Then hand-mix this with flour mixture. Dust your fingers with flour so that you can easily pinch a small amount and drop on a sprayed pan or pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes on the top rack.

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This week many of us will be gathering and celebrating over food. It brings me joy to host Thanksgiving, especially since our family does potluck style and I will not be the one cooking all the food. Each of us ladies make or bring 2 – 4 different dishes, desserts, or drinks so we always seem to have an abundance. Have you ever thought you would run out of food? Today we are going to read about the Widow’s miracle with flour and oil.

Take a moment to read 1 Kings 17: 7-16 NIV. During a drought Elijah had been instructed to go to a widow’s house for food. You can imagine her hesitancy in giving him the last of her water and bread. When Elijah told the Widow she would not run out of flour and oil and that the Lord would send rain, she obeyed. What the Lord had spoken to Elijah came to fruition and the Widow never ran out of flour and oil. This week let’s focus on the abundance God has provided us and be thankful. 

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for supplying all my needs. As I gather with family and friends this week, help me to focus on and be thankful for the abundances I have in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Do you make your biscuits or use store bought biscuits, rolls, or cornbread? 

Aunt Vera Mae’s Biscuits

• Sift 2 cups of White Lily self-rising flour.
• ¼ Cup (handful) of Crisco.
• ⅔ – ¾ Cup of milk.

Instructions: Mix with hands until dough leaves the side of the pan. With extra flour, pinch off and roll out the dough with your hands. Press down on a greased pan. For soft biscuits let them touch. For crisp sides separate biscuits. Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 12 biscuits.

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