We are all familiar with the story of how the children of Israel in the wilderness were given manna from heaven it is describe in Psalm 78:24 as corn from Heaven. However, like any human after eating the same thing every day they became weary of the manna and demanded meat. They were not satisfied with what God was providing for them. God answered them and sent Quails in abundance. So, they got what they want yes but there were consequences. God also sent a plague and many died because of their lust. Now before we get too critical of them let us examine ourselves. Are we content in the life that God has given us? Or satisfied with the things that God has provided us with?
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things that ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.Hebrews 13:5
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us therewith be content.1 Timothy 6:6-8
Contentment is easier said than done. I often find myself whining to God. Why is this happening to me? If you just gave me this, I would be happy. But would I? Why can’t my life be like hers? Because my life is not hers. God’s plan for my life is not the same as hers. He is growing me in a different way. All people have their trials we cannot judge what people are going through from the outside. Remember when you are having a bad day that lady next to you who looks like her life is put together and perfect may be facing even greater trials than you.
The weather can often cause us to complain. Often during the year, we find ourselves complaining about the weather in the Spring there is too much wind and rain, the summer is too hot and dry, fall is cold and depressing and Winter is far too cold and snowy. Are we never satisfied? I find myself often in among especially the summer complainers. But maybe we should look at the change of seasons differently. The other day at work I heard one that takes the cake. “Why does March have to be so windy all the time? I am sick of all the wind. Why is March so windy anyway?” Simple because of the high and low air pressures being so close due to the warm air coming up from the south with a low-pressure system and meeting the cold northern air with high-pressure system. The old saying for March “in like a lion and out like a lamb,” is often very true in our area. We can be thankful that we have four seasons. There are many places on the earth that do not have the privilege of enjoying four separate seasons. We can also look at the good things that each season brings. Spring is a time of growth. Little pops of green and the lovely purple hues of Crocuses spring up through the snow. It is neat watching the earth come alive. Over the winter it is easy to wonder how those little forget-me-nots could survive buried under 3 feet of snow, but they always grace the spring landscape with their periwinkle presence.
The other day I went out to start my car before I had to leave for work, and it really was not that cold out. Spring is just around the corner I thought. The birds were chirping away happily and there was the smell of rain in the air. I love rain. There is nothing more soothing than hearing the steady fall of rain on my roof. Spring is a time of change, though often still very chilly and usually quite rainy much to my delight. But it is a season only with us for a little while and eventually the glorious Spring days turn into Summer. I love how spring is described in the Bible.
The weather can often cause us to complain. Often during the year, we find ourselves complaining about the weather in the Spring there is too much wind and rain, the summer is too hot and dry, fall is cold and depressing and Winter is far too cold and snowy. Are we never satisfied? I find myself often in among especially the summer complainers. But maybe we should look at the change of seasons differently. The other day at work I heard one that takes the cake. “Why does March have to be so windy all the time? I am sick of all the wind. Why is March so windy anyway?” Simple because of the high and low air pressures being so close due to the warm air coming up from the south with a low-pressure system and meeting the cold northern air with high-pressure system. The old saying for March “in like a lion and out like a lamb,” is often very true in our area. We can be thankful that we have four seasons. There are many places on the earth that do not have the privilege of enjoying four separate seasons. We can also look at the good things that each season brings. Spring is a time of growth. Little pops of green and the lovely purple hues of Crocuses spring up through the snow. It is neat watching the earth come alive. Over the winter it is easy to wonder how those little forget-me-nots could survive buried under 3 feet of snow, but they always grace the spring landscape with their periwinkle presence.
The other day I went out to start my car before I had to leave for work, and it really was not that cold out. Spring is just around the corner I thought. The birds were chirping away happily and there was the smell of rain in the air. I love rain. There is nothing more soothing than hearing the steady fall of rain on my roof. Spring is a time of change, though often still very chilly and usually quite rainy much to my delight. But it is a season only with us for a little while and eventually the glorious Spring days turn into Summer. I love how spring is described in the Bible.
For, lo, the winter is past, the rain over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; a time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell.Song of Solomon 2:11-13a
So, let us savor those cold, rainy, and even snowy days of spring and enjoy a large pot of hearty stew while watching the last flurries of winter fade into Spring.
Beef Stew
1-2 Tablespoons Butter
Olive oil
1-1 ½ lbs. Beef cubes
1 ½ lbs. String Beans
4-5 Carrots
4 Large Potatoes
2 cups Corn
2 cups Peas
4 cloves of Garlic (minced)
Small Onion (minced)
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
1 ½ cups Water
Salt
Pepper
Heat butter and oil together in a Dutch Oven pot. Add beef cubes and minced garlic and onions and brown thoroughly.
Add green beans first, then diced carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and water. Salt and pepper to taste.
Cook slowly at a simmer for 3-3 ½ hours.
Olive oil
1-1 ½ lbs. Beef cubes
1 ½ lbs. String Beans
4-5 Carrots
4 Large Potatoes
2 cups Corn
2 cups Peas
4 cloves of Garlic (minced)
Small Onion (minced)
1 Can Diced Tomatoes
1 ½ cups Water
Salt
Pepper
Heat butter and oil together in a Dutch Oven pot. Add beef cubes and minced garlic and onions and brown thoroughly.
Add green beans first, then diced carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and water. Salt and pepper to taste.
Cook slowly at a simmer for 3-3 ½ hours.
Dumplings for Stew
2 Cups Flour
3 tsp. Baking Powder
½ tsp Salt
1 Cup Grated Cheese (optional)
1 Tablespoon Chives
¼ Cup shortening
1 Cup Milk
Mix dry ingredients, Cheese and chives or another desired herb together. Cut in shortening until it is crumbly. Add milk all at once. Stir until just moistened. There will be lumps.
Add by spoonful into the stew and cook 10 minutes with the lid on and then 10 minutes with the lid off.
3 tsp. Baking Powder
½ tsp Salt
1 Cup Grated Cheese (optional)
1 Tablespoon Chives
¼ Cup shortening
1 Cup Milk
Mix dry ingredients, Cheese and chives or another desired herb together. Cut in shortening until it is crumbly. Add milk all at once. Stir until just moistened. There will be lumps.
Add by spoonful into the stew and cook 10 minutes with the lid on and then 10 minutes with the lid off.
Rachel was born and raised in a Christian home. She was saved at a young age for which she is thankful. She has lived in Pennsylvania her whole life. She worked in a bakery for 16 years before moving on in another direction. She has enjoyed cooking and baking over the years especially those foods rich in history. She is passionate about history and the stories of those who had so little yet were able to provide meals for their families. She appreciates the ingenuity behind the recipes written by those ladies who have pioneered the trail of food preparation before us. Food is an essential part of life and there is nothing sweeter to her than sitting together and sharing a meal together with family and friends.
Comments 3
This looks like a yummy recipe to try.
Wonderful reminder to be thankful for the 4 seasons and the beauty that goes with each of them:)
Loved your article, made me hungry for some of,that stew.
I also love the seasons. Winter, not so much. Love you
Looks delicious! Thank you for your delightful descriptions of Spring!