Blog, Faith

Normalize kindness

Let’s normalize being kind and expecting nothing in return.

There was a time when someone was kind to you when you had nothing to give. They shared a smile when all you had were tears, bitterness, and a broken heart.

Someone blessed you, randomly, financially… when you had absolutely nothing and didn’t know when or if you could ever repay them.

Someone forgave you after you wronged them.

Someone gave you the benefit of the doubt when you were acting mean and ugly when your life seemed to be falling apart.

Someone cared enough to call and check on you when you had checked out and darkness was creeping in.

Kindness is powerful. It has the ability to bring about change; to turn someone’s life around for the better.

Be kind because it’s the right thing to do. It feels good. It makes others feel good.

I think about how Jesus was kind to the woman at the well. I think about how His being kind changed her life. -John 4

I think of the woman caught in adultery and how Jesus’ kindness saved her from the crowd. -John 8

I think about how Joseph was kind to his bothers after they betrayed him. -Genesis 50

I think of how David was kind to Saul’s relative Mephibosheth even after everything Saul did to harm David. -2 Samuel 9

It may sound crazy to others, but it sounds beautiful to God.

Each of us holds the power to bring about change with a single act of kindness. Imagine what we could do if we were intentional with kindness. Whose life will you impact when you are kind to them? Whose life will be impacted by seeing you be kind to others, especially when you are well within your right to be angry or unpleasant because of how they treated you?

Let’s give it a try and be kind for kindness sake. Let’s smile, compliment, serve, encourage, forgive, protect, give, be compassionate, be considerate, extend grace… and on and on.

Kindness is powerful.

#bekind

Kellye Marie

Food, Home Eats

This ‘Just Egg’ plant-based breakfast burrito is delicious!

I’ve been working from home since the pandemic started and I love working from home. But one thing I miss about work… is the cooked to order café! They had the BEST breakfast burritos!

I’ve been doing well and making better choices since I’ve been home. I’ve avoided the dreaded Covid 15 and actually lost some weight. But one of the things I’ve paid more attention to since I’ve been home is how food made me feel. I’ve noticed that some foods make me feel icky… so I made some changes.

This breakfast burrito has no real recipe – beacuse which ones do?. So, I’ll share my ingredients and thoughts about the vegan egg, by Just Egg, the new Chao Mexican style vegan shreds from Field Roast and the Morning Star breakfast patty.


So, the Just Egg… It only comes in a 12 oz container. I shook it up and gave it a pour…measuring about 1.5 of the serving size. The consistency is kinda like melted ice cream meets Elmer’s glue? Ummm…yeah… so… Anyway,  I added mine to sautéed veggies and sausage substitute so I can’t say what it would do on its own… but I immediately began to stir it. After a few turns it started to brown and firm up. I cannot say that I tasted anything eggy as I consumed my burrito, but with no saturated fat and no cholesterol I will definitely use it again. I’d say from this experience, it is a win!

The Morning Star sausage is always a winner in my book. It’s flavorful, very reminiscent of a breakfast sausage patty, has a 30 second heat up, and can be crumbled/chopped for versatility. I sometimes have one with my breakfast porridge or just alone with a coffee in the morning. In this case, it was a perfect addition to a burrito! They have a maple one too but I stick with the orginal because I prefer the flavor and it is more versatile.

Now, I just recently found out that Field Roast released some new options of Chao. I really like the original slices. I like the flavor and it melts well. I purchased the shredded original too on my most recent grocery haul but I was most looking forward to trying the Mexican Style. Upon opening the package, there is a noticeable jalapeño smell, which I welcomed. The cheese wasn’t spicy, but it does have a assertive jalapeño flavor. I instantly knew that it would be a favorite. It melted well and wasn’t hard to work with. This will be a great addition to anything that has a Santa Fe vibe for sure!

Even though burritos don’t technically have a recipe…at least to me… mine included:
Green pepper
Sweet onions
Minced garlic
Morning Star breakfast patty
Chao Mexican style shreds
Salsa
Avocado
Just Egg-egg substitute
Salt and pepper

So all in all, this was a true winner! And yes… the meat eaters will love a burrito like this! So if you are vegetarian, flexitarian, plant-based, transitioning or just going meatless a few days a month… this breakfast is sure to please!

ENJOY!

Faith

Is my heart in it?

There are sports fans and then there are SPORTS FANS!

Sports fans mark their calendars,  buy the jerseys and may even paint their faces and have season tickets. Sports fans show up in the stadium and they enjoy the crowd, they cheer for their team and high-five their friends. They might even host a game day at their home. They look the part.

Then, there are SPORTS FANS. They look very similar to sports fans however upon further inpection it is clear that something is different. There is a deeper level of involvement.

Not only do they look the part… their passion takes it to another level. They know the names of the players on the team. They know their history; childhood, high-school, college, special moves, their victories, their defeats, their previous teams. And not only do they know the players…they know the history of the team itself. They know the coach; the coaches history. They know the game and the history of the game. See, they’re more deeply involved. This is personal to them. They love it!

When we see them, they seem the same. But, once a SPORTS FAN starts talking in depth to a sports fan…it is clear that they aren’t so similar afterall. The passion isn’t there…the love isn’t there. The sports fan has the look but the SPORTS FAN has the heart.

I think we have a similar situation in the Body of Christ, the church. We have church goers and we have followers of Christ. At first glance they look very similar. But, upon further inspection… there is something different. And to the human eye and understanding it may not be clear which is which; but God knows. *And let me just say…it serves us not to merely be showing up. God desires a deeper connection. He is looking into our hearts and He can see if you are just showing up, and if you are invested.

Now, I am not pointing the finger at anyone. Clearly, I don’t have a heaven or a hell to put you in and it is certainly not my job to be the judge of your heart.

I am writing this to encourage you to examine yourself. To take a moment in the privacy of your own space, your own life, and your own convictions and ask, “Am I a fan or a FAN?… Am I a church-goer or am I a follower of Christ? Does God have my heart?”

If you want God to have your heart and have made the choice today to take a step to start a relationship with Christ, pray this prayer:

Dear God,
Thank You for loving me and for sending your Son Jesus so that I can be made right before you. I accept the free gift of salvation. Forgive me of my sins. James 4:8 says that if I come close to You, You will come close to me. So, I give my heart to You and I desire a closer relationship with You.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Psalms 143:10)

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, what now??

Make time to read the Word of God, the Bible, and ask God for understanding. Read different translations to compare the text (NIV, NLT, ESV, AMP etc).

  • Spend time each day talking with God (prayer)…and don’t forget to be quiet and listen for Him to speak to your spirit.

  • Super important >>Give yourself a little grace! You won’t be perfect and you’ll take some mis-steps; we all do. But, talk to God about it and ask for forgivenesss.

  • Oh, and remember – don’t give up, the journey is just beginning!


    I pray you had a thought today. Be encouraged brothers and sisters!

    KellyeMarie