Sunday reflection: What do you do when church doesn't fit your schedule?

It's a hard place to be in when you want to go to church, need to go to church, and it just does not fit in with your schedule.  Growing up in the 80's, our church life was our schedule pretty much.  There were very few things that interfered with our weekly rituals of church.  Looking back on that, I realize that neither of my parents worked weekends.  Occasionally there might be a weekend conference one attended or something like that, but that was a rarity.  Sunday was for church.  Period.

As an adult, I am finding that is not always the case, at least in my world.  My work schedule varies so much right now that it is hard make social plans, including church.  And the fact of the matter is I have to work any opportunity I am given because I have to support myself.  God is wonderful but He doesn't pay my bills....directly, that is.  And He hasn't given me the secret to winning the lottery either, so I can't rely on that plan of action to make it to church.  Ah, well.

So, I wonder what do I need to do when I can't get to church?  Yes, there are radio sermons and podcasts and such, but it's not the same as being in a pew and feeling like I am contributing something.  Mainly contributing something to myself, to be honest.  I don't go to church to be seen by others...to show people my spirituality.  It is a time for me to reflect and search and ask and seek within myself.  Trying to do that at home is not quite the same and I am not sure what path I need to go down to find that when life prevents me from being at the service.

There are some people that say "if you really want it, you will find a way to make it happen".  Well, that's all good in theory but it is an unrealistic expectation.  I wish it were that simple.  I do know that God is aware of my situation and He follows me where ever I am.  I get that.  Sometimes I just do not feel that where I am is right for my relationship with the Lord.  My spirituality is very personal and I am not one to put it on display....but I am actually that way with most aspects of my life...quite shy and introverted in many ways. 

Life will sort itself out and I will find a way to make this constant in my life part of my routine.  I probably shouldn't worry about it as much as I do but that is the way the ball bounces sometimes.  Until then, God, You're just going to have to go with me along this path.  As for now, it's time to get ready for work.

Be blessed.

Thought of the day

I think I'm going to have to give up watching regular tv for awhile.  I made a post on Facebook last week complaining of political ads.  I absolutely hate them.  They don't tell me anything true about the candidates.  It's just money spent on BS, in my opinion.  And they ruin any show I'm watching lately.  I could, and have, just hit the mute button during the commercial breaks, but that gets tedious.  Especially when I don't realize that the program is back on and I forget to unmute the tv.  It really is frustrating...at least to me.

And then, the other night, we were watching tv during dinner.  Michael cooked that night, so I was really looking forward to being able to just relax with my food in front of the tube.  The news was on...first mistake.  It had not even been on for one minute before I had a physical reaction to it.  I could feel all of the blood draining from my face.  The pit of my stomach began churning.  I looked down and realized that my plate was shaking.  I thought I was going to throw up...truly.  Having to watch the state of our country was ruining my appetite.  We had to change the channel because I just couldn't take it.  And, sadly, when you only have very basic cable there aren't many choices left so we ended up watching a bad sitcom rerun. 

So I will be watching our Roku only for awhile.  I do enjoy finding vintage shows, especially game shows.  And I have a Broadway channel where I can see some fun theater.  We have some good channels and I have my shows that I subscribe to, so I can get by for awhile with no problem.  That is, at least, until the Roku channels start playing politics.  Then it'll be time to hook up the VCR.

That is all.

Recipe of the day - Swedish Meatballs

I do love some Swedish meatballs!  I wanted to try a "new to me" recipe and found one I liked from Taste of Home.  I used premade meatballs due to issues of time, but here's the full recipe:

Swedish Meatballs
3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
3/4 tsp salt
2 pounds ground beef
Gravy:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1&1/2 cups 2% milk
2 cans (10.5 ounces each) condensed beef consomme, undiluted
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp coarsely ground pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt

Combine first six ingredients.  Add beef; mix lightly but thoroughly.  Shape into 1.5 inch meatballs (about 36).  In a large skillet over medium heat, brown meatballs in batches.  Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain, reserving drippings in pan.

For gravy, stir flour into drippings;  cook over medium-high heat until light brown (do not burn).  Gradually whisk in milk until smooth.  Stir in the consomme, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and salt.  Bring to a boil over medium-high heat;  cook and stir for 2 minutes until thickened. 

Reduce heat to medium-low;  return meatballs to pan.  Cook, uncovered, 15-20 minutes longer or until meatballs are cooked through, stirring occasionally.

Serve over noodles or rice.

*Now, when I used the premade meatballs, I obviously did not have any drippings left over to start the gravy.  I just used a half stick of butter and it worked out great.

Enjoy!