Stinky Circumstances

Stinky Circumstances

I'm in a funk today. Can anyone relate? That feeling that everything is heavy. I'm weepy and feeling very dull...... There are circumstances going on that are painful and out of my control. A few of my friends have circumstances in their lives that are stinky too.

There's a song that came to mind with a verse from Psalm 42:5 which reads, Why are you downcast, O my soul? and I Thess. 5:16-18 also came to mind. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all stinky circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. You won't find stinky in the NIV version. It's only in the "Kelly" version.

My prayer is... even when my eyes are weepy and my heart is heavy, I will feel joy. And, even though there are stinky circumstances, I will truly be thankful IN the circumstances because it is God's will for me in Christ Jesus. My comfort is, as promised, that God faithfully shows up everyday, even when there are stinky circumstances.

My hope for you is that you will look for and see God in your stinky circumstances today.

JELL-O OR NO JELL-O

I'm a JELL-O fan. Yes, I like molded JELL-O salads, finger JELL-O, strawberry JELL-O pretzel salad, and Mom's Raspberry JELL-O Salad. Anything gelatin, except if you combine it with cottage cheese. The Thanksgiving table isn't complete without my Mom's Raspberry JELL-O Salad. For the last several years our Thanksgiving has been spent with my husband's family. My in-laws are "no JELL-O on the Thanksgiving table people." Five years ago I wanted to bring my Mom's Raspberry JELL-O Salad for Thanksgiving to the in-laws. Communicating through my husband I was asked, or told to bring a different dish. I was crushed. And then I got a little peeved. What? Why NOT JELL-O? For several days I stewed. Then, I vented to my friends and anyone who would listen. Actually, I was whining. I proudly took Mom's Raspberry JELL-O Salad to dinner anyway. Spiteful, I know. Ugly, yes I know.

I hadn't thought about the menu for Thanksgiving this year until I had three people in one day ask if I was taking JELL-O to my in-laws for dinner! Wow! Don't get me started! Well, it did. I easily fell back into whining about the JELL-O saga to all who would listen. And then, all of a sudden, I started thinking about my BSF study from two weeks ago. Moses. He loved, respected, and honored his father-in-law. Honor thy father and thy mother even if they don't like JELL-O on the Thanksgiving table. With a heavy heart I asked God to forgive me. Today, I decided I can't tell the JELL-O story ever again. It's over. No JELL-O on Thanksgiving and no whining about it. My in-laws are dear people and I need to love, respect, and honor them. .

Maybe, you're a JELL-O fan or maybe you're the other type.... :-) If you're the first, I'm including my Mom's Raspberry JELL-O Salad for you to consider for your Thanksgiving menu. If you're the latter, maybe you could try it out some other time. It will definitely be on our table for Christmas dinner.

Greta's Raspberry JELL-O Salad
2 - lg.(6oz.) boxes raspberry JELL-O
3 Cups water
1 regular size(12 oz. ?) bag frozen raspberries
1/2 gallon or 4 Cups vanilla ice cream

Dissolve JELL-O in 1 Cup boiling water, let cool slightly.
Stir in 2 Cups cold water.
Stir in frozen raspberries and ice cream,
Poor in serving dish and chill.

That's it. It's a Family favorite.

I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving, JELL-O or no JELL-O.