Fresh Start Daily

Ingredients:

• 700 g linguine pasta
• basil leaves (Sorry I didn’t measure them. They were about 3 cups when ground.)
• 1 head garlic
• 1/4 c cashew nuts
• 1/3 c almond nuts
• 2 tsp ground pepper
• 1/3 c olive oil
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1 1/4 c parmesan cheese
• 2-3 tbsp butter
• 4-5 tbsp lemon juice

Methods:

Pesto sauce:

• Put all the ingredients in the food processor and pulse until finely ground.

Pasta:

• Bring water to a boil
• Add salt and oil
• Add the pasta to the water, stir to prevent the noodles from sticking together
• Cook according to package directions
• Drain and pour cold water to not overcook

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken
• 2 heads garlic
• 3 medium-sized bulbs onion
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tsp rosemary
• 2 tsp thyme
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 pieces lemon
• 4 medium-sized potatoes
• 3 pieces carrots

Methods:

• Chop 1 head of garlic and 2 bulbs of onion
• Add soy sauce and lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
• Put the chicken in a pan then pour the marinade into the pan
• Fill the chicken cavity with the marinade, half lemon, 1 whole carrot, one sliced onion bulb
• Put the sliced potatoes, carrots, garlic, and lemon around the chicken
• Drizzle olive oil on the chicken and the vegetables
• Sprinkle some rosemary, thyme, and oregano
• Sprinkle some salt on the chicken
• Bake at 190 degrees Celsius for an hour and a half

I’ve been wanting to go to the market early morning in the weekend but because of work, I get to go late in the afternoon. (Just saying, not complaining! I’m super grateful for work.) In the afternoon, it’s either the goods have run out or the ones left are not fresh anymore.

I like to cook something special for my family when I have the time. Today’s a holiday so I grabbed the opportunity to go to the market early. I thought it would only take me a few minutes to get everything I needed because it was early in the morning and vendors still have an abundant supply, but lo! I finished an hour and a half later.

I walked around the second and third floor (where the fruit and vegetable sections are) four times to look for pine nuts and basil leaves. Two vendors told me that their suppliers bring the herbs in the afternoon. I couldn’t wait for that because I have other things to do and I promised my family I’d cook for lunch.

Even though I was informed there were no herbs available, I still looked around. I told God that I already had the other ingredients for the pasta I’m making. I kept repeating the verse, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you shall find… (Matthew 7:7)” to myself. I also recited it to God—not because He’s forgetful and needs reminding, but because I was holding on to that promise.

After an hour and a half of going back and forth, up and down the upper floors, looking and asking people, and failing, I decided to go to another market. As I was about to leave, my eyes were led to some greens across the street. I realized they were basil leaves when I came closer, but I asked the vendor for confirmation because I could not believe my eyes!

I also thought of going to the mall in case I don’t find them in other markets but they open late. God didn’t want me to go through the hassle of searching other markets or waiting for the malls to open. I can’t contain it! God is faithful!!! God came through for me when I was ready to leave. I felt convicted because I fell asleep while reading the Bible last night. 😅 His words are true. They are living and active. God is true to His promises if we do not give up. To be honest, I was a little worried because I was already tired and I still couldn’t find what I was looking for. What God gave is better than I expected because they’re fresh. (They’re sold in tiny pots because they’re meant for planting.)

I know my dilemma this morning was petty compared to the problems we face in the world now, (I mean, really? Basil leaves?!) but for me, answered prayers as picayune as mine today are important because they’re a form of assurance and reassurance. Realizing that God hears and answers the simplest requests of His children proves His omniscience and omnipresence. He’s all that and yet, He notices us and cares about the little things that worry us. I always want to be made aware of God’s hand in my situation—no matter how paltry or colossal it is.

The LORD does take care of His children. He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful to Him. What a loving God we have!

After my morning shift today, I took a short nap, got ready, and went out to buy some stuff. It has been raining for a couple of days now and my umbrella’s missing. Everyone went out before I left and the only umbrella I could find is broken. I had no choice but to use it.

I noticed that every time it would pour heavily, I was already inside a building downtown. I would automatically say “Thank You, Lord” every time. I am still awed thinking about it. God knew the umbrella I brought was not sturdy enough to protect me from heavy downpour so He made sure I was already safe before He let it rain heavily.

This doesn’t mean that God doesn’t care about those who got wet in the rain. I just remembered asking Him before I left to not let me get wet because I want to fully recover from my cough and cold (common cold). God showed me once again how kind He is.

I’ve been struggling with a spiritual slump recently (because of my crazy schedule but I’m intentionally working around it) but God reminded me that I am not forgotten and that He sees me. He continues to show me grace and mercy. God has been so, so kind to me.

Some might say it was just a coincidence but there’s no coincidence in God’s economy. Everything that happens, He has knowledge of. Each raindrop, He allows.

“…’Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.’” Jeremiah 5:24 ESV

“He gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields…” Job 5:10 ESV

“I also withheld the rain from you when there were yet three months to the harvest; I would send rain on one city, and send no rain on another city; one field would have rain, and the field on which it did not rain would wither…” Amos 4:7 ESV

“He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses.” Psalm 135:7 ESV