It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

Hello Daughters of Grace!  Are you singing "It's the most wonderful time of the year"?  I know it's not Christmas.  It's back to school time!  Don't feel guilty.  You KNOW that many of you are jumping up and down with joy at the thought of that school bus pulling away.  For many moms back to school means you finally have your days back and the house may stay clean for a few hours.  For homeschooling moms who may have taken a few weeks off, it could mean it's time to get back to the hustle.  For moms like Joy and myself it may be bittersweet because we are sending our babies off to college.  Pray for us sisters!  Time for tears.

No matter what "Back to School" time means for you it's bound to get a little hectic.  For the month of August, the Mom Squad is sharing back to school tips that, we pray, will help make your life a little easier.  Today I have a tip and a recipe just for you.

My first tip is something I've been doing year round for a few years.  I'm an avid reader and one of my favorite books is called "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers (check it out if you haven't).  In this book a young lady mentioned a practice that she had and I've put into place and it really helps me as a mommy and a woman of God.  It's my Prayer Box.  I know you are saying how is this a tip but what better tip can I give you but to begin, NOW, praying for your kids new school year?  There are so many concerns: curriculum, bullies, clothes, lunches and just plain safety!  We have so many prayer requests but I encourage you to remember that 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to "Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you."

 

My prayer box holds a lot and was very simple to make.  I took an old she box and wrote on the top - "Robin's worries, Jesus' cares".  It reminds me that once they are in the box they are not mine anymore.  They are the cares of Jesus.  Inside my box I keep note paper, a pen and some special photos.  The pictures that you see are pictures of my mom, my grandmother and my son as a newborn and my youth group.  Some of the people I hold near to my heart.  I have two sections of paper.  One is for prayer requests that I am still praying for (I put dates on all of them).  At least once a week I go through the box and pray for all the requests.  I lift them up to the Lord and write down any scriptures He directs me to while praying for them.  The second pile is for answered prayers.  YES, I keep those.  I write down the date the prayer was answered and how He answered them.

This is how the box helps me and I pray it will help you!

1. Once I place the prayer in the box I know God has it and I remind myself that it is not my worry anymore.
2. It reminds me to pray for requests that may have slipped my mind.
3. I can look back on answered prayers when I feel discouraged and I'm always reminded of how good and faithful our God is.
4. My precious son has several slips of paper and it reminds me that he belongs to God first.  Not me.  He was just loaned to me to raise him up for the Kingdom of God. (Read 1 Samuel 1 - for Hannah's story)

One of the best things a parent can do is pray for their children.  As you begin to feel overwhelmed or worry about your babies just take it all to the Lord.  Take it to your box and leave it there.  Consistent time with the Lord will help keep your nerves in check as you go about your mommy duties.

Second, I want to give you a recipe for a delicious one pot meal!  I know all of us can use a one pot meal.  For years I ran to piano lessons, track practices and Bible study.  Not only did I not have a ton of time to cook but dishes are not my favorite thing to do.  I'm sure they aren't yours either.  One pot meals are so easy to make and also make for easy clean-up for busy moms.

My Southern Jambalaya takes one pot and around 30-40 minutes from start to finish.  It's flavorful, full of veggies and healthy brown rice and it can be mixed up.  My recipe calls for shrimp but you can leave it out.  For the vegetarians, tofu is an excellent replacement for the meat in the dish.  I hope you enjoy!

Chef Robin

Southern Jambalaya

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 lb andouille or chorizo sausage, cut into 1/4 inch slices

1 large onion, chopped

2 celery ribs, diced

1/2 green bell pepper, diced

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 

1 1/2 cups 20 minute brown rice (I like Uncle Ben’s)

1 (14 ounce) can tomatoes, chopped,with juice

2 cups low sodium chicken or veggie broth

8 ounces medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions:

In a large pot or dutch oven heat the oil.  Saute all the onion, celery and peppers for 2 minutes.  

Add the chicken and seasonings and cook for 5 minutes, until brown.

Add sausage, rice, tomatoes and broth.  Allow to come to a boil and stir only once.  

Lower to a simmer and cover.  Cook for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and rice is done.

Stir in shrimp and cook until shrimp is cooked through, about 5 minutes.  

James 5:16b ". . . The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."