Happy New Year!
Moms are some of the coolest people ever. My mom fits into that category, but it wasn't until after I left home and had children of my own that I figured that out.
One of the areas my mom quietly excelled in was feeding my siblings and me. Not only was she a great cook, but each year she would fix our favorite foods in honor of each of our birthdays. I remember two of my favorite meals included "pigs in a blanket" (hot dogs encased in bread) and "sweet and sour pork." (Note to self: get hot dog recipe from Mom...no wait, ask her to fix them for me.) Going above and beyond the cooking call of duty, Mom would even strain the tiny pieces of mushroom out of canned soup because, as a youngster, I thought mushrooms were slimy and gross.
But alas, for as cool as my mom was, she was not perfect. When my brother, sister, and I were around elementary-school age, Mom got on a health food kick and started making a creepy concoction she called Pep-Up. She tried to convince us that this miracle drink would "pep-us-up." I'm not sure what the ingredients were, but it was disgusting! ...especially when a batch turned out lumpy. The lumps would stick to our teeth and trigger severe gagging. We were all glad when the Pep-Up reign of terror ended several years later; Mom must have thought we were plenty "peppy."
On the up side, one of the most memorable things Mom made for us was Banana Candles. They tasted great and were fun to look at. They lit up our day anytime they were on the menu. These edible candles are a treat for everyone, but they really ignite a child's taste buds. Brighten up your table with this festive food.
- Bananas (one per serving)
- Pineapple slices (one per serving)
- Maraschino Cherries (one per serving)
- Chocolate syrup (according to taste)
Put the pineapple slice on a small plate. Cut a banana to make as straight a "candle" as possible. Insert the banana into the pineapple hole so it is in a vertical position. Pour chocolate syrup over the top of the banana to simulate melted wax and add the cherry as a flame for the finishing touch.
A variation for the chocolate syrup is a small dollop of mayonnaise with a drop of red food coloring. My mom used mayo for us but, when I discovered how tasty chocolate syrup was, I never went back. Enjoy!
Spiritual Seasoning
Even though banana candles aren't real candles they are edible representations of the light-giving objects. Additionally, their presence does add a certain "flare" to any meal.
When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount he spoke directly to his disciples.
You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others. (Matthew 5:14,16)
Despite the passage of 2000 years, we are also disciples of Jesus and, as such, we are representatives of the original Light.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5)
Jesus was indeed The Light. But just as light shines on and illuminates the good, it also permeates and exposes the dark corners of the world. Jesus loved people but he hated and exposed their sin. Jesus is the ultimate Judge yet, without a judgmental attitude, he held people accountable. He also offered (and still offers) the gift of salvation without forcing anyone to accept it. Yes, Jesus is The Light that still shines bright (even in the darkest corners of people's hearts.)
Are you shining for Jesus? Are you a spiritual candle? It's easy to shine among our Christian peers, but how "shiny" are you among the lost?
This is not a call to shine an overpowering spotlight of self-righteousness in the world's face, but rather a call the live the lyrics of one of my favorite Newsboys songs, "Shine, make 'em wonder whatcha got!"
(c)2008 Shona Neff
Happy New Year!
One of the areas my mom quietly excelled in was feeding my siblings and me. Not only was she a great cook, but each year she would fix our favorite foods in honor of each of our birthdays. I remember two of my favorite meals included "pigs in a blanket" (hot dogs encased in bread) and "sweet and sour pork." (Note to self: get hot dog recipe from Mom...no wait, ask her to fix them for me.) Going above and beyond the cooking call of duty, Mom would even strain the tiny pieces of mushroom out of canned soup because, as a youngster, I thought mushrooms were slimy and gross.
But alas, for as cool as my mom was, she was not perfect. When my brother, sister, and I were around elementary-school age, Mom got on a health food kick and started making a creepy concoction she called Pep-Up. She tried to convince us that this miracle drink would "pep-us-up." I'm not sure what the ingredients were, but it was disgusting! ...especially when a batch turned out lumpy. The lumps would stick to our teeth and trigger severe gagging. We were all glad when the Pep-Up reign of terror ended several years later; Mom must have thought we were plenty "peppy."
On the up side, one of the most memorable things Mom made for us was Banana Candles. They tasted great and were fun to look at. They lit up our day anytime they were on the menu. These edible candles are a treat for everyone, but they really ignite a child's taste buds. Brighten up your table with this festive food.
Put the pineapple slice on a small plate. Cut a banana to make as straight a "candle" as possible. Insert the banana into the pineapple hole so it is in a vertical position. Pour chocolate syrup over the top of the banana to simulate melted wax and add the cherry as a flame for the finishing touch.
A variation for the chocolate syrup is a small dollop of mayonnaise with a drop of red food coloring. My mom used mayo for us but, when I discovered how tasty chocolate syrup was, I never went back. Enjoy!
Spiritual Seasoning
Even though banana candles aren't real candles they are edible representations of the light-giving objects. Additionally, their presence does add a certain "flare" to any meal.
When Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount he spoke directly to his disciples.
You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others. (Matthew 5:14,16)
Despite the passage of 2000 years, we are also disciples of Jesus and, as such, we are representatives of the original Light.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9:5)
Jesus was indeed The Light. But just as light shines on and illuminates the good, it also permeates and exposes the dark corners of the world. Jesus loved people but he hated and exposed their sin. Jesus is the ultimate Judge yet, without a judgmental attitude, he held people accountable. He also offered (and still offers) the gift of salvation without forcing anyone to accept it. Yes, Jesus is The Light that still shines bright (even in the darkest corners of people's hearts.)
Are you shining for Jesus? Are you a spiritual candle? It's easy to shine among our Christian peers, but how "shiny" are you among the lost?
This is not a call to shine an overpowering spotlight of self-righteousness in the world's face, but rather a call the live the lyrics of one of my favorite Newsboys songs, "Shine, make 'em wonder whatcha got!"
(c)2008 Shona Neff