While Cooking…

I was wondering what easy dish I could cook that: 1) my family loves, 2) gets me out of the kitchen in a reasonable amount of time, and 3) allows me to rest for a majority of the day.

Spaghetti.

As I was gathering the ingredients from my pantry, I remembered I had switched brands for my pasta sauce. COVID-19 has everyone fearful that the grocery stores will run out of food and, as a result, the shelves were empty of the pasta sauce I normally buy – Ragu’s Chunky Roasted Garlic Sauce and Ragu’s Sautéed Onion & Garlic Sauce. This resulted in me having to try a new brand, Paul Newman’s Roasted Garlic Sauce.

If it didn’t taste the same, my family would be in for a rude awakening and also HIGHLY UPSET because they have huge expectations for the spaghetti. When they hear that I am cooking spaghetti, it is a big deal. Mouths start to water in anticipation!😋

While prepping, I remembered the conversation that occurred between my husband and me when I bought the new, “untested” brand. Instead of just picking up the brand and moving on, I made the mistake of announcing that the brand I normally use was out. When I stated that I was going to try the new brand, my husband rolled his eyes, sighed loudly, and emphatically proclaimed, “Why are we changing the recipe? We know what works! Why can’t we just go to another store?”

And thus began our “heated” fellowship. 😜 My husband hates to change when something works. Me, on the other hand…I am always looking to see if it can be done better. Yep, we are Yin and Yang! Sometimes fire and ice! 😉

I proclaimed, “This will be just fine. Besides, it’s late and I don’t want to go to another store.” I reassured him that it would be fine. I have switched brands numerous times trying to improve the taste and we will be okay…just like we have always been.

“Crystal, it better be good.” My response, “Trust me, I have been cooking your meals for about 20+ years!” 🤨

As I come back to myself, I wonder why I said anything, because now that he knows, he will tell me it tastes different. SMH!

“Please God let this be good!” 😬

Doesn’t that trip us up all the time? We don’t want to change our ways. We want to do what we have always done because it is familiar. We are more comfortable with what we know and we often come up with excuses as to why we should not risk the unknown. In some instances, the person asking us to change is trustworthy, but we forget that fact. I think I have proven myself these 20+ years!

I was reminded of Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV), where it says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

God is doing a new thing, but will you trust him?
Will you change when He asks you to?
What new thing has God asked you to do?

If you look at verses 1-3 of the same chapter you find, “But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”

Don’t fear the new thing God is calling you to do. Don’t cling to the old habits and ways you have done new things. Trust him and try the new thing he has for you.

God goes through it with you.
God ensures it will not drown you.
God ensures it will not burn you.

So, forget that former thing and go with him to the new place.

For He is the Lord your God!

I had company on the day I cooked the spaghetti, and wouldn’t you know it, everyone said it was good.

Well, not everyone… Michael said it tastes different. 😏

I guess there will always be haters! 🙃