One bite and tears welled in my eyes. It wasn’t hers but it was the best I could do. As tears streamed down, memories flooded back. Not just the taste of Mom’s Thanksgiving stuffing, but of God’s never ending presence. Amid illness, loss, and Mom’s stuffing, one thing was constant: God.
We buried both Mom and Grandma the month earlier. The two most loved and influential women in my life were gone within weeks of each other. It felt like too much to bear. I wasn’t feeling very thankful, but Thanksgiving and twenty family members were coming. I needed comfort and if I couldn’t have Mom, maybe I could have her stuffing.
It was a recipe always made but never written down. Recording family recipes wasn’t on the priority list in the haste of illness. But as I clumsily attempted to recreate Mom’s (originally Grandma’s) stuffing, I wished it would have been. Pushing this from my mind, I tried to recall the recipe. I had seen her make it dozens of times. Think.
One by one, little tips and ingredients came to me. The specific rolls cut into cubes to dry. The milk, apples, onions, butter and seasonings. Mix and taste. It needed more of this, a bit of that. Then, I took that bite. They were right there with me. But it wasn’t just Mom and Grandma; God was in the stuffing.
In one bite, God gently revealed how He carried us through their illnesses and current grief. He was always there and not leaving now. In my least thankful place, God was there.
Memories are amazing. They are tied directly to tastes, smells, and sounds, especially when linked with a strong emotion. Struggling to be a hostess and control my emotions, my taste memories didn’t fail me and neither did God. When it felt like everything was falling apart, God gave me comfort in the stuffing.
Maybe you’ve felt what seemed like inconsolable grief or pain. Please know deep in your soul God is with you. He never leaves, even if we leave Him. His presence is ever present.[tweetthis]God’s presence is ever present-even when we feel less than thankful.[/tweetthis]
Our children were young when Mom and Grandma died. They will never remember their stuffing. But they remember mine, crafted from memories. That Thanksgiving was over ten years ago and stuffing has a new place in our memories. While just a side dish, it represents so much more. For me, it’s a reminder of Mom, Grandma and God’s presence. For our children, it embodies love and home.
In the jumble of raw emotions, God showed up in the stuffing. He gave me physical comfort and a food memory our family now treasures. God was always present; guiding, carrying and comforting me, even in my least thankful place.
If you need to feel God today, open your eyes, ears, and even your mouth to taste His presence. I pray you’ll recognize He’s with you. Maybe even in the stuffing.
“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” ~Matthew 28:20 (NLT)
Linking up with Suzie Eller at #liveFree, Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus, Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday, Deb Wolf at #FaithnFriends and Kelly Smith #FridayFive and Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart
These are such beautiful thoughts for a Thanksgiving Morning. My days are different now in this Season of Life, but too am so grateful that God brings the memories that we need to keep us focused on His Great Presence through it all. Thanks for sweet words pointing me that direction again. I’m blessed to be your neighbor over at #LiveFree Thursday this week!
Thanks Bettie! I love how His presence is ever present-especially when we need to draw upon His love and strength! Thanks for stopping by!
This is so tender and powerful. Such a strong thread binding women together, not just within your family but within communities. I too, give honor to my cherished grandmother by making her recipe-less cornbread dressing. God gives us the strength when we need it most. Thanks for sharing your heart, Jill.
Thanks Teresa! Feeling blessed in so many ways-especially for friends like you! Happy Thanksgiving!
Jill, this is your first post that I have read. I’m so glad that God came to comfort you ‘in the stuffing’ that Thanksgiving 10 years ago – and that you were able to recreate your mother’s and grandmother’s stuffing. Bless you. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Eva-so glad we’ve found each other here. I love how God shows up wherever and whenever we need Him! He’s always there. Thanks for joining me and sharing your thoughts! Blessings to you as well.
Jill, thank you for sharing from your heart. This is a touching post that resonates deeply with me. I’m glad to have many recipes from loved ones that bring to mind the blessings they gave me. The taste of stuffing reminds me of a loved one who passed away also. God is so good to grant us the gift of memory through taste and smell.
Amen for God-given memories! Thanks Sarah for your sweet encouragement!
Jill, such a lovely post. Though I know it’s been ten years, I imagine tears sometimes still prick around this time of year. You are blessed to have such beautiful memories and taste memories of you mom and grandma! And the reminder that God is always with us? This one never grows old. Thanks for your words today!
Yes, I still miss them especially at the holidays, but knowing God’s with me and I’ll see them again eases any pain. Thanks Jeanne!
Thanks for sharing your heart, Jill. I am sorry for your deep loss and so thankful you will see them again one day! I love God’s compassion towards us and His mindfulness in the details. Praise Him!!
Your neighbor at Holley’s~
Yes, His mindfulness-speaks volumes doesn’t it? He is always mindful of us, great reminder for us to be more mindful of Him! Thanks Meghan!
Hi Jill … I’m so grateful, with you, that God is present in our every breath, experience, suffering and joy.
I am too, Linda! Thanks for stopping by!
How your thoughts reminded me of Grandma’s oven baked chicken. She fried the chicken first, drenched in flour and seasonings, then baked it until it almost fell apart. We could smell it as we walked up to her house on Sundays for lunch. NObody asked for her recipe, as if she would always be there to fix chicken for us!
But God says: Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6
Yes, how we take for granted all the blessings we sometimes have on a daily basis, Leslie. Praise God for His tender mercy for all of us!