Over the River and Through the Woods

I am heading up to my hometown of Lancaster, Ohio, located halfway between Ohio State and Ohio University on Route 33 for the Thanksgiving Holiday. My husband and I both grew up in the same small town so we have lots of family in one place.  But this seems to be the year where everyone is with their in-laws so we will eat with a smaller than normal gathering.

My food assignments are: Mashed Potatoes (I am making the make-ahead recipe with sour cream and cream cheese), Sweet potatoes and green bean casserole. I can cook most of this ahead of time but transporting it hot for a two hour car drive is making me a little nervous.


Keeping things hot! Now how do I accomplish this task? Looking beyond my food assignments, how do I keep my passion for life/God "hot"? Lately, not feeling well with my colitis and some emotional stress has left me without a consistent glow for God.


Whenever I feel like my relationship with God is strained and leaving me low on the passion meter, if I can begin to reiterate my thankfulness for the little things, I tend to snap right back. 


Here are some of my things I am thankful for: a reliable car, a working furnace in my home, enough money to enjoy frivolous things such as eating out and buying the occasional expensive coffee drink, my children liking one another, a husband who doesn't mind putting the lights on the Christmas tree, a job, good friends, enough kitchen equipment to prepare meals for my family, living in a cul-de-sac, great neighbors, comforters to wrap up in, a warm coat, shoes, a dog that likes to give puppy kisses.


Sound silly? I need to recognize these small things in order to cultivate a softer heart and keep my passion hot for God.

image from FreeFoto.com