Godliness With Contentment

1Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Wow, that verse slaps me way too often. Today was one of those days. God has abundantly blessed me with cucumbers. I am trying to be a good steward with them. I have given many away, and I have made pickles. Today I was hoping to get a couple of batches of dill pickles done and maybe some pickle relish. Well, I am on my second batch of dills, but oh my attitude really needed some adjusting.

Our house is in the throws of remodeling. This is not a quick remodel, but one that is lasting years. The next step in the process is to move our washer and dryer. Once that is accomplished, then we will set the pantry up where the washer and dryer are now. Until that happens, I have a makeshift pantry that is rather like a death trap to get into. Plus, I have things on my kitchen counters that won't be there when I have my pantry. So, as I carefully went into the pantry for more salt, watching where I step and holding my dress up to not catch on the screws sticking out of the shelves on the floor.... My attitude started there. A few other things happened and then I had to get some grape leaves. I have learned that grape leaves put in with your pickles keep them crisp. The Plain People that live all around me taught me this trick. Well, our bush hog is in need of repair. The men have been trying, but this one bolt, will NOT come off. So, in my bare legs under my dress I have to wade through grass and weeds that are above my knees. Then I had to go around an overgrown patch of briars, make my way through a whole line of poke berry trees and then stretch out over some more briars to reach my grapevines. The only leaves with in reach are mostly eaten by the Japanese beetles. =) Oh, I felt so sorry for myself. I started with the pity party and the woe is me.

Then God whispered in my ear.... Count your blessings. Sin not with your lips or your heart. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Praise the Lord that He perseveres with me. I need to get my eyes back on the Son and keep my focus there. I love that song... Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.

Here is the pickle recipe. It is really good.

Dill Pickles

Slice your cucumbers and put in cold water for an hour. I put a few ice cubes on top.

Make your brine:
Boil together –
3 quarts of water
1 quart of vinegar
1 cup salt

Put 1 garlic clove, 1 sprig of dill and 1 grape leaf (to keep them crisp) in each jar and then pack with the cucumber slices. Pour the brine over the pickles.

Water bath for 10 mins. Makes 7 quarts