Friday, April 27, 2007

Heavenly (Instant) Mashed Potatoes

How a grumbly, rumbly day became sunshine and roses:

"Mama, this dinner looks like it was made by an angel!" from a marveling Corban.

Grilled chicken courtesy of Daddy, instant (yes) mashed potatoes and green beans prepared by Mama.

If he only knew. This *so-called* angel (well, I did wear my white skirt today, though by dinnertime...) grumbled her way through the morning; schooled, cooked, washed and painted, and was thrilled beyond measure to find four chicken breasts tucked in the back of the freezer. She debated for perhaps seven and a half seconds between real and instant mashed potatoes, seasoning the green beans as she dished them up. Yes, dear reader, it was one of those days.



How like the Father to give me angels who happily partake of my grumbly, rumbly offerings! This awakened angel captured her own in a hug, and watched as dinner did, indeed, take on an ethereal glow. For there is food to sustain, company to treasure, and grace, never to be earned, but given nonetheless.




I pray for you an angel of your own, younger or older, who brings you back to the present gift in such a sweet, sweet way. These are the moments, yes?

Have a blessed weekend, dear reader!

16 fellow travelers shared:

Cosette said...

Yes Elise, these are the moments! What a beautiful family you have :)

Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Hi Elise!

Just catching up on some reading..I love your words..they are always so beautifully crafted! And yes, life is in those moments. My baby girl helped me with "Cowboy Potatoes" for the first time tonight and it was just priceless...

Got your note about the study...I would be overjoyed for you to join in! We are having a blast!! :))

Lisa

Tracy said...

Yes, These are the moments. I love little arms circling my neck after a rough day. It's amazing how it makes everything good. Enjoy it, Elise. As my children grow, I still do get the hugs and kisses, but they are fewer, and less spontaneous. The compliments too. But somehow, it makes them all the sweeter when they do come.

Melissa said...

My angel is in my oldest doing little things to help out without being asked. It saddens me but she is not a naturally sensitive person like her younger sister so when she helps out it really touches me because it means she is moving outside of her range of gifts.

My angel is in the great sorrow my youngest displayed when she had diarrhea and messed up her crib. I told her it was okay and it wasn't her fault but she felt very bad about it.

BTW I love the photo.

Miriam said...

Elise, I too am so amazed at the countless times the Lord brings me sweet words of grace from my children when I am struggling. Beautiful words from their hearts, and His. I love the picture, too. :)

bluemountainmama said...

i'm going to print out your "present gift" post.....SO, SO beautiful and poignant- and something i need to remind myself of. i have a bad habit of always looking to what's coming next and not savoring the "now".

i know many of your readers have suggested this, but you really should publish your writing in some way...whether a devotional or some other outlet. it is such a gift to those who read! and it comes from such a humble, gentle, loving place......

Jenn @ Knee-Deep in Munchkin Land said...

There are moments when I feel tired, discouraged, etc. and such a simple gift as a hug or face "rub" from Munchkin that just does the trick! They truly are angels in disguise!

Stacy said...

Aren't they SO precious?
(((hugs))) to you, dear sister.

~Stacy

Julie said...

Hi...I'm new to your blog. I just found you through a link on "I have to say..." and love what I'm reading! So inspiring and real! I am a stay at home mom of three (8, 6, 2) and can't wait to come back here when I have some more time!

mjpurdy at stny dot rr dot com

Cindi said...

Thank you for the well wishes. I hope your weekend is full of sunshine and sonshine!

Danielle said...

Oh Elise, you've once again seemed to reach right into my little household and teach me something anew because of who's in you. Amazing how you can take a wonderfully simple dinner and the thankfulness of a child and paint such a reminder. I just had guests over for dinner tonight for the first time in a long while. I'm such an awkward hostess and have so much to learn. I forget the most basic courtesies! There graceful appreciation sure meant a lot to me. Coming out of a life of hermitude is pure joy and so hard all at the same time..

Beka said...

So sweet. I guess those little ones have a way of reminding us of the "present gift"!
I hope you and your family have a blessed weekend!

Anonymous said...

I just read some stuff off of your Isms blog, and since there is no place to comment (that I saw) I'll do it here!
I really appreciate that blog, it reminds me of when my boy (now 11) was younger.
When he was little, we were pretty financially challenged, so we ate Ramen noodles from time to time, just to strech the dollar a bit more. He always called them "Roman numerals" though, and it made me smile when he asked if we were going to eat roman numerals for supper that night! It made a hard and humbling thing a bit easier!
(now you can tell Corban what Roman numerals are really used for-ha ha!)

TheNormalMiddle said...

Oh yes, nothing like a moment such as that to refocus you. Have a blessed weekend yourselves. Enjoy!

Beverly said...

I have been humbled when my little angel, as young as she is, has helped me to see something I should have seen before. May there be many more times like these. Thank you for sharing that moment with us.

Inspiration Station said...

Children sure can say the sweetest things to brighten us on those hard days. I love to read what your boys say. I can tell you are such a good mother and teacher to them.

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