When I look back on our first year of marriage, I am shocked at what we have lived through.
Two things I now know for sure: 1) God is good! No matter what happens in life, He is good. 2) I married the right one, and it has made ALL the difference.
Life threw us some curve balls this year, by way of cancer, unemployment, and several other tough situations. We got on our knees. It was dark ... but with time in Jesus’ presence, I was able to stand up and say, “Jesus make me more like you." Looking more like Jesus can vary from day to day: from speaking hope and peace to someone else in the waiting room on my surgery day to standing in grace when the Army EFMP’s (Exceptional Family Member Program) had lost our paper work once again, or even doing the dishes when it wasn’t my turn. But by being available and letting Him use me for each of these tasks (just to name a few), I found joy and freedom from the fear of the unknown.
Have you ever smelled balsamic vinegar? It’s bitter. It burns your eyes, overwhelms your nose, and makes your tongue shrink up from the tartness. But when it’s reduced (cooked down) by 75% it is the sweetest addition to any home cooked dish. There were many days I felt like vinegar. My pain made others shrink back. My life was overwhelming and it took over the atmosphere in a room. Father God met me right where I was. He exposed the stink in my personal life, scraped it off and left both Daniel and I a little sweeter - a stronger more pliable spirit than just over a year ago. If you ever make a balsamic reduction (which I recommend you do) it takes time. It will cost you the smell of your home for a bit (nothing a good candle can’t fix), and your eyes and nose might burn. But just as it is with life, in the end, you will have a beautiful product that was worth all of the effort and tastes great.
Balsamic Reduction
You need:
A stainless steel sauce pan
12oz of Balsamic Vinegar
A squeeze bottle ( I found mine at Sally Hansen Beauty Supply Store)
Pour vinegar into sauce pan. Bring to a boil and reduce by 75% on medium heat, or until vinegar turns into a glaze. This will take about 25-30 minutes.
*Want to be super fancy ... Add a few dried figs to balsamic while reducing and you will have a flavored reduction. Make sure to toss figs out once vinegar is reduced.
Leave at room temperature for a few minutes to cool slightly before pouring into a plastic squeeze bottle. Store in refrigerator. Before use, set balsamic reduction squeeze bottle out until it comes to room temp.
I love to drizzle my balsamic over fresh sliced tomatoes and basil, sprinkled with olive oil and a dash of salt. Serve with a hearty slice of mozzarella.....and that's called love.
Let me first start off by saying if you were never in my life, I would never have enjoyed great food and felt the light I feel when I am with you my dearest. Yes- the house did smell. I thought it was the dog. However, I find myself using the Balsamic Reduction on many things to give it a twist these days. My life, like the Reduction, needed to be taken down some. However with the refining process I have learned and laughed so much with you Doll. I love you.
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