As this COVID-19 situation drags on and on, it is really taking its toll on us all.  Regardless of our own situations; anywhere from dealing with the loss of those we love, loss of income to just plain worn down by it all, this virus has and continues to consume our lives in some sort of negative way. For me personally, I try not to listen to the news, I gloss over any depressing or negative social media posts and just try to feed my brain with positivity.  And just when I think I’m in a good place and can take on several more weeks of this, the unthinkable happens again; the senseless killing of another black man at the hands of someone who is charged to protect us all. Yes, us ALL regardless of race.

I have completely rewritten my post since the killing of George Floyd.  I’m feeling helpless and angry.  We watch our adult children have many of the same feelings of helplessness, anger and fear, not knowing what our part is in the solution; what can we do as individuals to ensure that this never happens again.  They ask their parents and friends; no answers, just feelings of anger, grief and more helplessness.

Our #3 is at home, missing her friends, not able to gather with her family to celebrate her college graduation.  Our #2, the strong and fearless one is brought to tears as she witnesses firsthand the violence, fires and protests in Philadelphia.  The street level shops right outside her apartment burn, she sees anger and violence like never before in her life. Her dear friend needs not to be alone, so #2 gives her the all clear as her friend runs through a lull in the chaos with her cat carrier in hand so they can spend nights together, trying to focus on the positive and keeping their worried thoughts at bay. Seeing the face of your strong willed precious adult daughter brought to tears in fear and sorrow can really rattle a mom.  Knowing that our beloved #3 is feeling as though her life is permanently stalled and all your attempts as a mom to help turn that frown upside down aren’t working, can simply break a mama’s heart.  And yet I know, that still there are many other mamas out there feeling so much worse than I.  Their babies have no food to eat, or tragically have been killed in a senseless way. The enormity of it all can be very overwhelming and depressing.

Then one day as I was walking in the front door from work, I noticed something that warmed my heart just a bit and gave me that flicker of hope.  That little God wink that told me it was all going to work out. There on the front porch in a sunny little spot was a pot filled with fresh potting soil and a little sprout peeping out. Our #3 who has been so down, has planted some seeds; green beans to be exact.  There you have it; that glimmer of hope that she is looking ahead to the future filled with opportunities; planting life, growing life.

Saturday we spend time with our son’s family celebrating our granddaughter’s first birthday, celebrating her life.  We join in song wishing her a happy birthday, we laugh at her excitement as she fills her face with icing and cake and our hearts are brimming with love as we see those beautiful blue eyes just sparkle with joy.  Pure life.

Sunday mornings these days mean live streaming church services for dear hubby and me.  This past Sunday our service was particularly moving. As our pastors searched for the right words to bring us all some sort of hope in light of the killing of Mr. Floyd and COVID-19, they asked us to remember our baptismal covenant.

Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

I DO!

And after church, we then checked on our daughter in Philadelphia; needing to know how her night was, offering any type of comfort we can provide from afar.  “Mommy, there are people out in the streets cleaning. Not city workers, but all my neighbors. Ya know, Mr. Rogers always said to look for the helpers.”  And then again the tears creep up, but this time they are tears of hope and promise. This week she makes a point to shop at those stores that have experienced vandalism; she is now becoming a helper too.

And just when I think I’m getting the message, God is going to send me just one more to make sure I’m listening, watching and counting my blessings.  There on my porch after coming home from work on Monday is a big bag of Bugles.  You know that incredibly unhealthy snack that we put on our fingers and eat one by one. No note, but I instantly know who they are from; my dear friend Paige.  I haven’t shared with her my recent struggles, but somehow she knew I needed a little pick me up.  Bugles were our go-to snack at sleep overs.  We filled them with onion dip and ate them like ice cream cones.  Paige and I met in 6^thgrade (ref: May 17, 2018, “Pizza and Making a Difference”).  Yeah, Paige and I have experienced a lot of life together.  And somehow she placed that bag of Bugles on my porch at just the right time.  All I can say is, “I simply love you, Paige.”

Helpers as they do the work of Christ bringing us all hope that there is still good in the world. New life is present in sprouting green beans and in the celebration of our precious granddaughter.  And faith that we have the power given to us all by God to make this world a better place.

Now how do I transition from that into a recipe that relates to all this; to the helpers, to life and to faith?  All I got is the first thing that pops into my head; the “church green beans”. Gallons of these green beans are served every year at our women’s church bazaar luncheon where proceeds go to help those in need.  The many helpers who make the green beans which in turn brings hope to those in need. Even my family often requests the “church green beans”.  I never mind making these.  You simply dump all the ingredients in a crock pot and cook on low for as long as you’d like.  I often turn the crock pot on before I go to bed and wake up to the wonderful smell of bacon, onion and green beans.  So delicious and ready for a noon meal or early dinner.  Now wouldn’t it be God’s little miracle of hope that those little sprouts on the front porch actually grew some green beans?  Yes they will!  And they are going to be delicious!

Dear Lord, Guide, Guard, Direct us and Help Us Be Nice, Amen!

Church Green Beans

1 onion, sliced thin
1 (3 lbs) can cut green beans, drained
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 lb bacon, chopped

Add green beans to crock pot. Place onions on top. In separate bowl, mix sugar, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over onions and green beans. Mix lightly. Top with bacon. Set crock pot on low and cook at least 4 hours. Enjoy!