Tea Time Tuesday
In this season of Advent in the midst of the darkness of this world, I’ve been pondering Peter’s words to live “looking for and hastening the coming of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:11-12). I often ask myself what does it look like for me to hasten the coming of the Lord? On the small speck of the earth that I inhabit, how is my life making a difference in the darkness of this world and into the lives of others? How does an ordinary person like me, living an ordinary life, hasten the awareness of the One who is Light in the darkness?
While pondering these thoughts, an unexpected remembrance of my mother came to mind. Mother often expressed her love for others through gifts…and for her, baking was an avenue of gifting. So each year as we approached Christmas, she began a list of those for whom she would be making fudge. There were always the assumed recipients of her fudge, but each year there would be a new name on the list. One year, that new name was our school bus driver, Vick. Mother noticed that as teachers and school staff received gifts from students, rarely was Vick seen. In her ordinary life and in an ordinary way, through a pan of fudge, a friendship was formed that lasted well beyond our bus-riding days.
Years later, Vick became terminally ill, and Mother was one of the first friends his wife called. I believe she hastened the awareness of the love of God to Vick and his wife, and it all began in her awareness of an overlooked school bus driver to whom she was grateful for his service of getting her children safely to school and back each day.
In True Spiritual Community (pg. 128) by Larry Crabb I find this quote by Pascal;
“The slightest movement affects that whole of nature: one stone can alter the whole sea. Likewise, in the realm of grace the slightest action affects everything because of its consequences; therefore, everything matters.”
So, in this remembrance of my mother and the words of Pascal, I find deeper understanding to my questions… There are no ordinary people or ordinary actions. And when the Life and Love and Light of God that resides within His children is released toward another, there are no ordinary moments. The smallest actions open doors to relational connection in ways that I believe bring light into this dark world.
Marshmallow Fudge
Directions:
- Butter: 1- 11×13 pan OR 4- 8 ½” x 5 ½” x 1” aluminum pans (I use gas grill drip pans)
- Put in large Bowl: 12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips and 9 oz. marshmallow cream
- Mix in large sauce pan and bring to a boil. Stirring to keep from sticking and boil hard for 8 minutes.
1 can evaporated milk
½ tsp salt
½ pound butter
5 cups sugar
- Pour over chocolate chips and marshmallow cream add 1 tsp vanilla and stir until well blended*
- Pour into pan(s) and cool.
*Optional: Pecans or walnuts can be added to your preference.
Makes 5 pounds