Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

So often people feel as tho someone else received the credit they rightly deserve. If they speak up it seems as if they are glory hounds. If they don’t, they are allowing themselves to be walked on. I know that there have been times I felt a twinge of jealousy when I felt I did not receive the same credit as someone else. As a result, I do try to give it when deserved. And that time is now.

For the last 2 months my family has been going through a very rough time. It does not matter what it is, we all go through tough times. This one has knocked me over and I did not feel like crawling out of bed in the mornings. And I felt as though I were alone, totally alone. Oh in my head I knew better, but my heart felt that way. I prayed, rad my Bible and called on friends, but it was not getting any better.

Worst of all, I knew I needed help, but could not bring myself to ask for it, much less take it. Then one friend after another basically told me in polite terms, “Suck it up Kristine and accept the help.” Yes, I am great at giving to others, I try to help those I can and I try to help in ways that people need, not just what is comfortable for me. I have taught my kids the same thing, But accepting help from others, why that was an entirely different matter.

First, I asked a friend to talk and she reminded me of a book she gave me that year called Jesus Calling. I had read it here and there, but not as a daily thing. She turned to that days reading November 29th. This is what she read.

LET ME INFUSE MY PEACE INTO YOUR INNERMOST BEING. AS YOU SIT QUIETLY IN THE LIGHT OF MY PRESENCE, YOU CAN SENSE PEACE GROWING WITHIN YOU. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH THROUGH SELF-DISCIPLINE AND WILLPOWER

Well I may be a bit slow, but I get there eventually. I read this book every day now, and the Bible verses that go along with it. But i keep going back to November 29th.

YOU HAVE LEARNED TO THANK ME FOR HARD TIMES AND DIFFICULT JOURNEYS, TRUSTING THAT THROUGH THEM I ACCOMPLISH MY BEST WORK

Yeah, thanking God DURING the hard times is imply not my strong point I can promise you. But the blessings that have been poured out onto me the last few weeks are changing that. I realized I have more friends that I thought, that more people are willing to help without judging, and that I can be joyful in this time. Don’t get me wrong, I am not skipping around sprinkling daisies on everyone, I know I am still going to worry. But this week a light bulb went off in my head that I can never turn off. God is there for me, every single time and no matter what else happens in my life, that will never change. I don’t know why my family is going through this, and I still ask God that question every day, but I know that I am not alone. I give God the credit for everything, He deserves it.

Not so Hot Chili

Sometimes I wonder what happened to my children. how could I have given birth to people who don’t like a hot chili? I have learned to adapt, otherwise the leftovers were more than I could eat. The following recipe has a smokey flavor but not hot. Chili is such an easy dish and really nice for this time of year. You can eat it with cornbread or even with polenta at the bottom of the bowl. Leftovers are great on chili dogs or a potato buffet.

INGREDIENTS:
2 c Dried Kidney Beans
3 c Cooked Ground Beef
2 c Tomato Sauce
2 cans Diced Tomatoes
2 c Water
1 c Chopped Onion
2 tsp Garlic
2 tsp Oregano
2 tsp Cumin
1 1/2 tsp Perfect Pinch Roasted Garlic and Bell Pepper spice
1/2 tsp Salt

Sort through the dried beans to look for pebbles. I have found a stone more than once so it is a very important step every time you use dried beans.

I think there is no reason to take advantage of flavors that have already been built up in your diced tomatoes. The 2 that I like to use are fire roasted tomatoes or a garlic and oregano variety.

This is what to look for in the spice aisle. If you cannot find it you may use 1/2 of a bell pepper finely diced.

Place all ingredients except the salt in the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.

Adding salt now could prevent the beans from becoming sauce. Place the temperature on high and cook for 8 hours.

Add the salt about 30 minutes before you serve with cheese or sour cream.

Happy cooking!