By my God have I leaped over a wall. II Samuel 22: 30
Our son Josiah, at the age of twenty months, was willing to try any new word. He pointed at what he wanted to know and said, "This is? This is?" I’d answer, "Pickup truck ... flag pole ... garbage can, mail box." He dutifully repeated what I said-leaving out a consonant or vowel and then went on to the next item that has captured his fancy. I started to wonder if this game was worthwhile when I had to name things like "incinerator," "storm drain" and "fire hydrant." Undaunted, Josiah tried them out (something like erter, stumdane or "irdrent"). It didn’t quite matter that he didn’t know exactly what they were. The point is he wasn’t afraid to try something new- even if it was beyond his grasp.
It's this fearless attitude I think of when I'm faced with a new challenge such as a new assignment where I work or volunteer, an unfamiliar situation such as serving as the new head of a parents' association in our children’s schools. Part of me wants to retreat, going back to what’s comfortable. "The challenge is beyond me," I say to myself. "I talk too fast and am not a public speaker," I rationalize, or ''I'm a better Indian than chief. I’ll never have anything worth while to share at devotion time during staff meetings.” But then I think of Josiah picking up a new word, and trying out a new phrase. "Act boldly," I tell myself. "Just try it. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. You'll learn. Be like Josiah." I take a deep breath; ask for God's help, and then leap.
This attitude came into play more recently helping serve communion. My senior pastor asked if I would help with Sunday’s communion service and I said “no!” immediately. I was sure I’d drop something, trip over someone or spill the blood of Christ all over the floor. Somehow I let myself get talked into helping serve. I stressed about it until I was a nervous wreck, but at the 2nd round at the rail I saw a lady SMILING at me. So I smiled back and LOVED it. Pretty soon the butterflies were replaced by a warm feeling and I saw others smiling at me. On my way to Sunday school 4 people stopped me to tell me they were glad to see me helping serve. I hope they get shorthanded enough to ask me again soon!
Let us pray-
Lord, bring all Your mighty forces to aid when I take a leap of faith. Amen
Josiah’s favorite cheese is gouda, which I’ve always thought odd yet sophisticated for an 8 year old boy. It’s also one of the more expensive cheeses out there so this helps get more mileage out of the block!
Josiah’s Five-Cheese Bake
- 1 (16 ounce) package elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded gouda cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup skim milk (if you’re counting calories, heavy cream if not)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, 6 to 8 minutes.
In a large bowl, toss together the mozzarella cheese, Gouda cheese, Parmesan cheese and Provolone cheese. Remove about 1/2 cup for topping and set aside. In a separate bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, sour cream and milk. Season with parsley, Italian seasoning and garlic salt.
Pour the ricotta cheese mixture and drained macaroni into the bowl with the cheeses and toss lightly. Do not mix too thoroughly, it's better left muddled. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 10 minutes, and then turn the oven to broil. Broil for about 5 minutes to brown the top.
