It’s easy to overlook God’s plan once the road to salvation has been revealed. Yet even before Eve gave Adam the apple to eat, God had a plan. Man’s fall from grace did not come as a surprise. It came as a consequence of man’s free will.
Whenever I think of John the Baptist, I hear the song from Jesus Christ Superstar playing in my head. The lyrics are simple and straightforward “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” Those words are repeated over and over again with jubilant joy. It makes you want to climb to the mountain tops and shout to the world. While John’s message was meant for those of Jesus’ time, they are just as relivant today. Be ready. Not only because He will come again to judge the living and the dead, but because we will each meet Him in due time. Be ready. The message of readiness is repeated over and over again, in many stories and parables. Yet it is so easy to be laxed in our comfortable existance that we forget this life shall fade away. It is the next life that is eternity. Are you ready? I know I am not. Like clay in the hands of the potter, I am a work in progress. He will mold me, He will form me and make me ready. All I need to is to surrender all to His will alone.
It sounds simple enough, but the truth is we are human beings with freedom of choice. So often we think we know what is best. So often we turn away from God’s whisper in our hearts, determined to forge our own path. For whatever reason, surrender is not a natural instinct. It’s good to have that survival instinct when faced with evil. Unfortunately evil often presents itself as something good, something desireable. Don’t be fooled. Be ready to fight. Prepare a place in your life and in your heart for Jesus to dwell. Let Him guide you to the truth for all that glitters is not gold.
Soulful Smothered Chicken
Chicken
6 bone-in Chicken Thighs
3/4 cup Flour
1-1/4 teaspoon Salt
3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 cup Oil for frying
Pat chicken dry, set aside. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Reserve 4 tablespoons of the flour mixture for the gravy.
Coat the chicken in the flour, shake off any excess. Sit aside on a wire rack and let rest for the flour to adhere well to the chicken.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan and brown on both sides. Once browned, remove things from the skillet and set aside while the gravy is made.
Gravy
2-1/2 cups Chicken Stock
1 teaspoon Beef Bouillon Granules
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
3/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
3/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon dried Thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried Crushed Rosemary
1/4 teaspoon Rubbed Sage
1/3 cup Half-and-Half
Reserve 3 tablespoons of the drippings from the skillet, discard rest. The drippings will be the base of the gravy.
In the skillet, whisk together the drippings and reserved flour mixture until blended. Let cook over low heat for a few minutes to create a roux. Gradually whisk in the chicken stock followed by the bouillon granules. As you stir, loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporated into the gravy for an ultra-rich flavor.
Once blended, add Worcestershire Sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme rosemary and sage.
To finish: Return chicken thighs to the skillet. Heat until gravy begins to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover the pan and cook for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Stir in the half-and-half for a velvety finish. Warm through. Serve chicken alongside Long Grail Wild Rice and green beans.
O Lord, You have probed me, You know me:
You know when I sit and when I stand;
You understand my thoughts from afar.
Welcome to Rosemarie's Kitchen 