There are some nice things about having children who are all grown up.  There are some not great things about it too, like

that means I’m getting old(er) and they are on their own and aren’t really keen to have their mama weighing in on their choices.  There’s no escape for them though.  Once you have a mom who loves you from way inside her heart, once you have a mom who is actually part of you and you are part of her, it can’t be undone.  It’s just there, deep.  We moms have lived longer and sometimes have wisdom to impart.  Sometimes not and growing up means learning about discernment and sifting through the words and tucking into the good ones and forgiving the not so good.  Listening and saving or listening and not saving what was said.  I’ve told you before that Papa called it “keeping short accounts”.  Forgiveness.  Looking past the words and thinking about the Love that maybe prompted them, or considering the wounded heart from which they came.

It was Family Day weekend, just past and we did some chatting, some of my kids and even some other people’s kids and me.  That’s one of the good things.  The conversation is good.   Oh we don’t always agree and sometimes we agree not to.  We each do some listening and it makes for wealth, richness.  We know each other and are getting to know each other better, my little ones and me.   It’s hard to do without talk.  I mean, God gave us tongues so let’s use them

for good.

Way back, likely circa 1970 or so, my papa, dad, Father, who had much wisdom to share although I wouldn’t have agreed, gave me a book and suggested I read it.  Being rather naive still, I wondered why he had chosen that particular book, until I turned the second page.

The book was/is called The Tongue A Creative Force

The author is Charles Capps and his book is a best seller.

My Father, as God’s representative on this Earth, did not hesitate to inform me of my imperfections, for my betterment and of course, God’s Glory.  His

my father’  s  

very sincere and focused purpose was to guide us in the way that  God had specified.  I could not doubt his connection to God because they spent so much time together.  Early morning, late evening, family devotions and in conversation with other people, I was reminded of his relationship with Him.    Dad listened carefully to what God told him.  Fathering, parenting was a big deal and to him was his greatest calling.  He and I had more than a few Moments since I was confident in my own choices.  Now though, I look back and don’t we all view, Back Then, quite differently now, than when we were actually Back Then?  Growing up is hard and when we get there, do we ever get there

The methods by which we have arrived at this thus far place make just a little more sense.

Anyway, the book.  The Tongue book.  It’s a good one and it wouldn’t hurt us all, everyone, to sit down with it for a few hours.  It’s short really.  I learned some things, or started learning some things and it was years ago that the wheels started turning.  You see,

the creative force of my tongue has caused some reckoning over time.  I am going to compare myself right now, to one of Jesus special friends.  You know I’m going to say

Peter.  He and I have a lot in common,  Some would go so far as to call him mouthy 

and yes, I have been called that very thing.  Even by the people who loved me most.  He was also passionate about His friend Jesus.  His Lord Jesus.  His God Jesus.

I too am passionate about my Lord Jesus.  Peter said a whole lot of dumb stuff that came from a passionate and loving place and yes, me too.  We’ve been studying the book of Matthew at this Bible Study I attend and dear Peter loved Jesus so much and I would say he could have done with a few chapters of

The Tongue

but better than that, he actually had Jesus close, the teacher himself.  I have him too because His spirit lives inside me.  It’s He who gives me those nudges when I don’t want them and it’s He who reminds me when it’s time to keep my tongue still and do some quiet listening instead.  Guarding my tongue requires some Fast Thinking.  Sometimes the thinking comes a little too late, after the speaking and it’s never a good idea to do things in that order.  Thinking is always best

in first place.  Think first and speak second.  For some of you it isn’t hard since you just don’t do a lot of talking.  Well, we did some chatting on this Family Day weekend and you really learn a lot by talking to people and listening to people.

Thinking and speaking and listening and waiting. Learning,

I was considering these, while I was driving home and thinking about the good times and even a few moments that weren’t my favourite and I was coming to a house needing food replenishing.  It’s hard to make something out of not much, but add to that, a few chicken breasts and anything is possible. Well some fast thinking was needed on that snowy afternoon.   I unloaded the car and walked a couple of kilometers to the grocery store and picked out a package of four, chicken breasts, grabbed a bag of green beans and remembered there were three large potatoes in the pantry.  The fridge contains a surplus of jars and bottles of things and the spice drawer is pretty well stocked.  So back I came and got out my favourite pot.  It’s actually officially named French Oven and a friend gave it to me.  It gets used often and does the cooking beautifully.

I knew the potatoes would work for three of us and planned to do the smashed technique.  A sauce on the chicken would be yummy and I had some odds and ends of vegetables in the crisper.

The end result was

Easy French Oven Chicken with Smashed potatoes and green beans.  It was good and nutritious